Russia is considering holding an informal summit with Japan in St. Petersburg sometime between the March 26 Russian presidential election and the July 21-23 Group of Eight summit in Japan, Moscow government sources said Wednesday.
Acting Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is widely expected to win the election, would hold his first round of informal talks with Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi in his hometown if the arrangement is realized.
The move is in response to Japan's proposal to hold an informal meeting of the leaders of the two countries before the G8 summit in Okinawa.
On Wednesday in Tokyo, Obuchi hinted he would consider visiting Russia after the election if the newly elected president were unable to visit Japan before the G8 summit.