Russia Denies Japanese Claim of Diplomat Meeting

Russia's Foreign Ministry has refuted claims made by Japan's foreign minister that he met with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov for discussions on bilateral relations and regional affairs. The denial comes after Japan had stated the two had spoken at a recent international conference.

According to Russian state television interviews on March 14, Lavrov asserted that Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's assertions were untrue. Motegi had previously announced that he and Lavrov had engaged in conversation during a dinner at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers' meeting in Manila last month. This alleged interaction was noted as potentially the first confirmed contact between the two nations' top diplomats since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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I only shook hands.

Lavrov expressed surprise at Motegi's statement, claiming the interaction was limited to a handshake. He recounted that Motegi had approached him from behind during the dinner, where attendees were seated, and offered greetings. Lavrov stated he did not even have time to stand up before the brief exchange occurred.

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I was surprised.