This is a well-informed article on the Russo-Japanese relationship. The both leaders agreed to strengthen ties between the two countries in Sochi. If a peace treaty is finally signed, it would be a diplomatic breakthrough that would change the balance of power in the region.
President Putin's practical and logical response to the situation in Syria......... is paying off for him......... http://www.politicalforum.com/polit...ghts-96-arabs-want-genocide-all-alawites.html
I hope that Abe and Putin can finally resolve the issue through personal diplomacy. Russia maintains that no territorial concession as a pretext for peace treaty negotiations but Japan still needs some small islands back such as the Habomai islets.