Russia may take actions to protect its vessels in Azov Sea: Kremlin

The Kremlin said on Friday that it reserved the right to protect the interests of Russian vessels in the Azov Sea where tensions have been rising with Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that any actions would be in line with international maritime law and said the Kremlin was closely following the situation in the Azov Sea.

Japan's obligations to its allies are an important topic in talks with Russia over four disputed Pacific islands, the Kremlin said on Friday.

Japan's Asahi newspaper reported that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Putin the United States would not put troops on the islands if they are handed over to Japan.

"The subject of Japan's obligations to its allies is quite important in the context of discussing the problem of the peace treaty," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He did not elaborate on what Abe told Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in Singapore.