Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai met with Andrey Turchak, Secretary of the General Council of the United Russia, the ruling party of the Russian government led by President Vladimir Putin, at the LDP headquarters on May 15. Nikai referred to negotiations on the Northern Territories by saying, “There are historical issues between Japan and Russia, but we can benefit from cooperation and collaboration.” Nikai also called on Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to visit Japan. Turchak is believed to be an aide to Medvedev and is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his stay, which ends on May 18.