LOC18:50
15:50 GMT
TOKYO, April 17 (KUNA) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday he has decided to postpone a visit to Russia planned for later this month, amid renewed tensions in Ukraine.
"Japan and Russia agreed on the postponement due to scheduling reasons," Kishida told reporters, suggesting that the two countries will reschedule his trip.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the two countries also agreed to put off high-level bilateral trade and economic talks scheduled during his visit.
Kishida's trip, originally due April 28, was aimed at preparing the Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Japan; the visit is to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
The announcement was made ahead of US President Barack Obama's state visit to Japan on April 23-25, during which he is expected to discuss the crisis in Ukraine with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The US has blamed Russia for its annexation of Crimea in southern Ukraine. (end)
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