Diplomatic sources reported on Tuesday that U.S. President Barack Obama, in telephone talks on Feb. 9, urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to refrain from visiting Russia in May, as Washington seeks to isolate Moscow over its actions in Ukraine and Syria. According to RT, Obama said that it was not the right moment for visiting Russia.
Diplomatic sources reported on Tuesday that U.S. President Barack Obama, in telephone talks on Feb. 9, urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to refrain from visiting Russia in May, as Washington seeks to isolate Moscow over its actions in Ukraine and Syria. According to RT, Obama said that it was not the right moment for visiting Russia.
Kyodo news agency informs Abe refused to comply with Obama's request, and intends to proceed with plans to travel to Sochi, Russia, around early May for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the sources.
The telephone conversation was held after North Korea’s rocket launch earlier this month.
Earlier, the Japanese prime minister told radio "Nippon" that he wanted to continue his dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the final solution of the territorial issue.
