What Happened Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise offer to Japan at the Eastern Economic Forum on Sept. 12. During a panel discussion alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Putin remarked that the two sides should conclude a World War II peace treaty by the end of 2018 without preconditions and build on that foundation "to resolve all controversial issues." This treaty has been stalled for decades because of a thorny territorial dispute over the southern Kuril Islands. Abe did not respond directly to Putin, but Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga followed up by saying Japan has not shifted from its position that the two sides must resolve their territorial dispute over the southern Kurils before signing a treaty. However, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Japan has not officially responded.