Russia informs Japan of intention to terminate deal on cooperation on nuclear arms reduction

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia announced Tuesday that it notified Japan of its intention to terminate an agreement on cooperation to reduce nuclear weapons.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow informed Japan of its intention to terminate the deal on Nov. 21.

It said the decision was made in the context of the “openly anti-Russian policy” of Japanese Prime Minister Kumio Fushida’s administration, as well as sanctions implemented and other measures such as Tokyo's military buildup near the border in the Russian Far East.

“We consider it impossible to continue interaction with an unfriendly state on issues affecting, among other things, interests of our national security,” it said in a statement, adding that the deal will terminate May 21.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed an order Nov. 7 to suspend the deal signed in 1993, which sought to establish cooperation on the reduction of Moscow's nuclear weapons and solving environmental issues between both countries.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​