North Korea decided to tackle the problem of North Korea's nuclear program seriously Moscow and Tokyo. During a telephone conversation on Monday, March 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on joint efforts in this direction. "The leaders of the two countries agreed on close cooperation aimed at denuclearization of North Korea against the backdrop of the ongoing preparations for the summit meetings between the South and the North, as well as between the North and the US," the press service of the Japanese Foreign Ministry reported..

In addition, the leaders confirmed that countries need to sign a peace treaty and also to achieve tangible implementation of previously agreed plans for joint economic activities in the Kuril Islands. Prime Minister of Japan Abe called Vladimir Putin to congratulate him on winning the presidential election on Sunday, March 18. According to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, after processing 99.84% of ballots Putin leads from 76.66% of the vote.