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
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

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

Klyuchevskoy volcano erupts hours after 8.8 quake in Kamchatka

Powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake strikes off Russia’s Kamchatka

“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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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