Putin Meets Abe's Widow During Japan Visit to Russia... Invites Her to Performance and Provides Exclusive Limousine

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Akie Abe, the wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the Kremlin.

According to TASS on May 29 (local time), Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, "President Putin received Mrs. Akie Abe at the Kremlin. Mrs. Akie Abe is currently staying in Moscow."

Russian President Vladimir Putin presents a bouquet to Akie Abe, wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right). Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The video of the meeting released by the Kremlin shows President Putin welcoming Mrs. Akie Abe and presenting her with a bouquet of flowers.

President Putin told Mrs. Akie Abe, "Your husband did a great deal for the development of Russia-Japan relations, and I personally had a very good personal relationship with him. I also remember visiting Japan at his invitation," adding, "I know that he sincerely wished for the full restoration of Russia-Japan cooperation and worked hard for it."

He continued, "I am aware that the signing of a peace treaty between our two countries was a dream he pursued. We made significant progress together on this path." Former Prime Minister Abe held 27 summit meetings with President Putin, maintained a friendly relationship, and sought to conclude a peace treaty and resolve the territorial dispute over the Southern Kuril Islands.

However, President Putin pointed out, "The situation is different now," noting that Japan has joined Western sanctions against Russia and has been placed on Russia's list of unfriendly countries, which has led to a deterioration in political relations between the two countries.

Mrs. Akie Abe responded, "I am not a politician, and I do not wish to comment on political issues at this moment," but added, "However, what I can say is that Russia is a very important neighbor to Japan."

Spokesperson Peskov also reported that President Putin provided Mrs. Akie Abe with his exclusive 'Aurus' limousine and invited her to a performance of "The Little Humpbacked Horse" at the Bolshoi Theatre.