Russia not returning four Japanese islands

MOSCOW: Russia’s top diplomat threw cold water Monday (Tuesday in Manila) on Tokyo’s hopes for a quick return of four Pacific islands at the center of territorial dispute, warning Japan it must recognize the islands as part of Russia as a starting point for talks.

The stern statement from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, which followed the talks with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono, appeared to reflect Moscow’s efforts to temper Japanese expectations of an imminent deal on the Kuril Islands dispute.