Russia blames Euro-Atlantic nations for Japan sanctions over Ukraine

Russia has harshly criticized Japan's latest round of sanctions, accusing the Euro-Atlantic nations of provoking Tokyo's hostility. In a statement on Monday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Japan's reference to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as a "clumsy attempt" to justify its "hostile actions." Zakharova labeled the sanctions as a manifestation of Tokyo's "reckless solidarity" with its partners in the Euro-Atlantic region, which are fixated on the notion of defeating Russia.

The sanctions, announced by Japan on October 2, involve 27 measures targeting 33 Russian entities, nine individuals, and various foreign companies. These measures, which extend to shipping for the first time, aim to reduce Russia's ability to evade Western oil price caps when exporting crude. Russian authorities also accused Tokyo of violating the 1957 Russia-Japan Trade Treaty, which safeguards vessels and crews in commercial shipping matters, and vowed to retaliate with proportionate countermeasures.