apan and Germany do not share the US position towards Russia. As reported today by a source in the G7, both countries favor the softening of sanctions and continuing dialogue with Russia.
The discrepancy between the position of the US and its partners Germany and Japan on the issue of the continuation of the policy of sanctions against Russia became evident at the Sherpa meeting in the preparations for the summit of Seven in December 2014, the agency reports. Washington insists on the extension of sanctions against Russia, taking into account the fact that the validity of some of them is ending in March 2015, and encourages its partners in the group to consolidate their positions in this matter. However, Japan and Germany feel the need to have dialogue with Russia.
The position of Japan is that "not only sanctions are required, but also continuation of dialogue." Germany believes that there are sanctions that are no longer required, and the softening of the position of the "Group of Seven" can contribute to "flexibility from Putin’s side," news agency Kyodo emphasizes.
