Putin Quashes Japanese Hopes of End to Island Dispute Under pressure from nationalists, the Russian president backed off previous hints that he was ready to end a 73-year tussle over the Kurile Islands. Share: Facebook Twitter Google+ Stumble Digg Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to Facebook Related Posts:Daimler Apologizes After Dalai Lama Post Draws Outrage in ChinaIn Pakistan, Long-Suffering Pashtuns Find Their VoicePence Won’t Rule Out Meeting North Koreans at OlympicsPoland’s President Supports Making Some Holocaust Statements a CrimeSouth Africa Awaits State of the Nation Speech, but Doesn’t Know by WhomU.K. Judge Upholds Julian Assange’s Arrest Warrant