Japanese diplomats have expressed disappointment with Russia's decision to blacklist officials in retaliation for Tokyo's sanctions against Russia, RIA Novosti reported Monday.
"This decision will have a negative effect on Japanese-Russian relations. It evokes great regret," Kyodo News cited the government's press secretary, Yoshihide Suga, as saying.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday a scheduled visit to Japan by President Vladimir Putin's would go ahead as planned, however.
" We don't associate our relationship with Japan with the conflict in Ukraine or the change in climate," Lavrov was cited as saying during Monday's press conference by Interfax news agency.
" W e have the feeling that our relationship (with Japan) is autonomous," he said .... http://www.themoscowtimes.com
