Russia-Japan Diplomatic Rift Grows Amid NATO, Ukraine Disputes

By Staff, Agencies

Russia has issued a stark warning to Tokyo, cautioning that its deepening involvement in the Ukraine war will carry serious and lasting consequences.

In remarks to RIA Novosti, Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev criticized Japan’s recent moves, such as joining the NATO Security Assistance and Training Center for Ukraine and reportedly preparing to share satellite intelligence with Ukrainian forces, as clear signs of escalation.

He emphasized that Moscow views these actions as hostile and will not let them go unanswered.

“Japan continues to demonstrate through rhetoric and actions that it is not ready to abandon its unfriendly course,” Nozdrev said, noting that the consequences will be “sensitive and long-term.”

He attributed the degradation of bilateral ties to Tokyo’s alignment with what he described as “pan-Western solidarity” since Russia's military operation in Ukraine, saying Japan had destroyed decades of bilateral progress.

Nozdrev also warned that Japan’s militarization and growing cooperation with US forces could destabilize regional security.

Tokyo’s ramp-up of weapons procurement and its moves to integrate further with NATO military standards are viewed by Moscow as provocative.

“Such an irresponsible line of policy on the part of Japan could trigger a dangerous escalation in the Asia Pacific,” he said, emphasizing that Russia will respond with “adequate measures".

Furthermore, the Russian ambassador further criticized Japan’s promotion of the “free and open Indo-Pacific” concept, saying it aims to isolate Russia, China, and the DPRK.

He noted Japan's increasing NATO ties, including its newly opened Brussels representative office and ongoing discussions to host a NATO “office” in Tokyo, as evidence of this strategic pivot.

The ambassador pointed to recent high-level exchanges, including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s April visit to Tokyo, as signs of deepening NATO-Japan defense cooperation. 

Discussions focused on defense industry collaboration, dual-use technologies, and cyber and space coordination under the Japan-NATO Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP).

Nozdrev highlighted that both Russian and Japanese airlines are interested in resuming direct flights, which were suspended after February 2022.

However, he said Japan’s government must show political will to restart the routes, citing Tokyo’s imposition of over 25 sanctions packages on Russia, impacting more than 1,000 individuals and 300 entities.

The Russian ambassador also revealed that Russia received no official notifications regarding participation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki memorial ceremonies.

Since 2022, invitations have not been extended to Russian or Belarusian representatives due to the war in Ukraine.

Though in 2025, notifications, not formal invitations, will be sent to all natio