Japan's Foreign Minister pledged Tuesday, Jan 19, to continue talks with Russia even though the two countries still lack a World War II peace treaty, saying Moscow is key to resolving international threats from Syria and North Korea.

Fumio Kishida also announced $350 million in new aid to help stabilize Syria and its neighboring countries amid the region's massive refugee crisis, following $810 million in earlier humanitarian support, the Associated Press reports.

Kishida said in a speech in Tokyo that a diplomatic dialogue between Japan and Russia is indispensable even though a territorial dispute has prevented them from technically ending their World War II hostilities. He said the two sides are seeking to hold summit talks this year.

Media reports say Prime Minister Shinzo Abe might visit Russia in April for talks with President Vladimir Putin ahead of a Group of Seven leaders' meeting in Japan in May.