China, Russia: An End to an Island Dispute

During his July 21-22 visit to China, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will discuss the final steps in the planned August handover of the remaining disputed islands between Russia and China. This will bring the outstanding border issues between the neighbors to a close. The resolution, which removes one of the lingering irritants in Sino-Russian relations, is seen by some as a possible signal that Moscow may also be ready to sort out its island disputes with Japan — but the two issues are exceedingly different for Moscow.