Russia is willing to sell the controlling stake in major oil and gas projects to Japanese companies. This was said in an interview to the Japanese newspaper Nikkei by the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkadi Dvorkovich. Dvorkovich mentioned that this offer involves “investors with development strategies”. He also mentioned that despite of the sanctions Russia has “a very constructive dialogue with the Japanese companies” which allows “a good basis for a political dialogue”.

      Deputy Prime Minister also admitted that Japanese companies will influence in the economic development of Kuril Islands. When speaking about Vladimir Putin’s possible visit to Japan, Dvorkovich emphasized that it’s necessary to increase the level of cooperation in economy between the countries and to prepare “a large package of agreements”.