Russia has expressed serious concern over Japan's deployment of offensive weapons in border areas, which Moscow believes disrupts regional security and stability and poses a grave threat to neighboring countries. "The aggressive militarist course" of Tokyo and these military actions "further intensify tensions in the regional security sphere, pose serious risks to neighboring countries, and at the same time justify a firm response to the implementation of Japan's specific plans in this area," stated Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She noted that Japan's deployment of US-made medium-range missiles on the islands in question is unacceptable, regardless of the pretext—whether permanent, temporary, or otherwise. "We have repeatedly drawn attention to the negative impact of Tokyo's policy on the stability and security of our shared region," she specified. Zakharova urged the Japanese government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, to "return to the foundations upon which Japan's post-war peaceful development was built." "These foundations are enshrined in the results of World War II, foundations that, unfortunately, as we are forced to point out once again, have not yet been fully recognized by Japan," she concluded.
