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Дипломатия Путина и Абэ: перспективы политического урегулирования российско-японских отношений
In this article, the authors trace the recent improvement of bilateral ties between RF and Japan that, according to their view, was largely due to Russian President Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s strategic vision, high political aspirations and mutual trust. A thorough assessment of significant changes in their positions on the territorial problem during last two years has been undertaken. Based on that an attempt is made to evaluate whether (in adverse geopolitical conditions in the world and the Asia-Pacific region) the achieved relatively high level of bilateral relationship sufficient to solve a long-overdue territorial dispute in two recent years. According to the authors, there is still an ample possibility that the genuine hopes of Putin and Abe to solve the territorial dispute by the year 2021 could be fulfilled. However, signing of a Peace Treaty during next two – three years is not historically predetermined, while Abe’s successor may have different strategic priorities.