Russian President Vladimir Putin cited a 1939 Soviet victory over the Imperial Japanese Army as a foundation of relations with Mongolia during a visit to Ulan Bator on Wednesday, despite a risk of upsetting Tokyo.
Putin's reference to the battles of Khalkhin Gol could be seen in Tokyo as a jibe following Japan's sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis. Japan, locked in a territorial dispute with Russia over four Pacific islands, joined Western nations in imposing sanctions on Russia earlier this year.
"Today we are indeed marking together the 75th anniversary of one of the central events in our common history —the joint victory at Khalkhin Gol river," Putin said at the start of talks with Mongolian leader Tsakhia Elbegdorj.
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