Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believes it’s possible to resolve the Southern Kuril Island territorial dispute with Japan, Kyodo news reported.

Putin said it was necessary for him to hold a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to discuss the territorial dispute that has held bilateral ties hostage since the end of the Second World War.

Abe had vowed last week to take the reins in addressing the dispute “as soon as possible,” according to the Kyodo report that was published by The Japan Times.