Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area

Russia-Japan diplomatic rift grows amid NATO, Ukraine disputes

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 5 May 2025 12:42
3 Min Read

Russia warns Japan of lasting consequences over its deepening role in Ukraine and expanding NATO ties, citing rising security risks and a breakdown in bilateral relations.

Listen
  • x
  • Russia Japan diplomatic rift grows amid NATO, Ukraine disputes
    An official photo of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Japan, Nikolay Nozdrev (The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Japan)

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.

Militarization of Japan may threaten Russia’s security

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.

Related News

Japan learns the hard way; US alliance is conditional: WaPo

US demands allies' plans in event of Taiwan war erupting

“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).

Direct air traffic blocked by political tensions

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 nations, Russia’s attendance remains uncertain. Japan does not officially recognize Palestine, which was also excluded from recent ceremonies.

In August 1945, the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed over 210,000 people, mostly civilians. Annual memorials commemorate the victims, with participation from global diplomats, except those "under sanction or political dispute."

  • Japan
  • Nato
  • DPRK
  • Russia
  • Ukraine war
  • US-Japan alliance

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS