Telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 2014-09-21 12:30:00 In a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, Vladimir Putin congratulated Mr Abe on his 60th birthday. Mr Putin and Mr Abe discussed key issues in Russian-Japanese relations and exchanged views on current international issues, including the situation in Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to continue bilateral contact at various levels.