The two countries are in dispute over a chain of Pacific islands and as a result have still not formally ended their World War Two hostilities, Reuters reported.

“An idea has just come into my head,” Putin said, turning toward Abe, during a question and answer session at an economic forum in the Russian city of Vladivostok.

“Let’s conclude a peace treaty before the end of this year, without any pre-conditions.”

Abe, sitting alongside Putin, did not give his response.