武藤大使、ロシア次官と会談　対話継続を確認

　武藤顕駐ロシア大使は１２日、モスクワのロシア外務省でルデンコ次官（アジア担当）と会談し、日ロ関係について意見交換した。日ロ双方が発表した。関係悪化はウクライナ侵攻を受け対ロ制裁を科した「日本政府のせい」と決め付けるロシア側に対し、武藤氏は「侵略をやめ、全部隊を撤収することが問題の早期解決につながる」と反論した。
　両者の会談が発表されるのは、武藤氏の着任から間もない昨年末以来。対話の継続が確認された形だ。（2024/04/13-07:19）

Japanese Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko met in Moscow on Friday, discussing the relationship between the two countries, both governments announced.
   While Rudenko insisted that the Japanese government is responsible for the deterioration of the bilateral relationship as it imposed sanctions against Russia over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Muto argued that the problems would be solved early if Russia stops the aggression and withdraws all of its troops from Ukraine.
   This is the first time since late last year, soon after Muto took office, that a meeting between the two officials has been announced. This implied that Japan and Russia have confirmed their intention to continue dialogue.
   Rudenko criticized Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden for affirming their countries' plan to reinforce their security cooperation at a meeting in Washington on Wednesday, calling the move a dangerous tendency.
   He also said the Japan-U.S. alliance has caused a threat to the security and stability of Northeast Asia.