Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, December 18 (Xinhua) — Japanese Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto was informed of Moscow's concerns regarding Japanese-American military exercises near Russian territory at a meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry. This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova at a briefing on Thursday.
"We systematically communicate our approaches to the Japanese side, including through diplomatic channels, and publicly. In particular, today, during a conversation between Lyudmila Georgievna Vorobyeva, Director of the Third Asian Department, and the Japanese Ambassador to Moscow, concerns were expressed regarding the Japanese-American air force exercises conducted near the Russian border on December 10," TASS quotes Zakharova as saying.
The Russian diplomat emphasized that Russia views Japan's actions as a potential security threat. "Of course, we warned that we will take appropriate countermeasures aimed at strengthening our defense capability and protecting the sovereignty of the Russian Federation," she said.
According to M. Zakharova, Russia consistently notes the dangers of Japan's accelerated remilitarization of the country, including "galloping growth in defense spending." "We are also documenting consistent steps by official Tokyo, hiding behind supposed threats from North Korea, China, and even our own country, to dismantle the pacifist restrictions of the post-war constitution and essentially create an offensive military potential," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted.
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