MOSCOW. Feb 17 (Interfax) - The Kremlin is expecting the upcoming phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to focus on bilateral relations but does not doubt that the Russian president will give relevant explanations if Tokyo wishes to clarify the Ukraine situation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported the planned phone call at a press briefing on Thursday.
"The president will make an acquaintance with the prime minister, and we are hoping that the conversation will focus on bilateral relations," Peskov said.
Japan is an important neighbor and partner of Russia, and Moscow is interested in further development of bilateral relations, he said.
"We have problems and both the president and the prime minister are likely to highlight them," Peskov said.
"But if our Japanese colleagues prioritize the Ukraine situation, I have no doubt that President Putin will be ready to give relevant explanations," he said.