I have a proposal to make to Russian people on the Russian border dispute.

Russia has two border disputes : the Crimean Peninsula Dispute with Ukraine on Eastern Europe and Kuril Islands Dispute with Japan on Asia. Both are hard problem to solve and it is hampering smooth international relationship of Russia with Ukraine, EU, USA and Japan.

So I propose Russia to sell the 4 Kuril Islands to Japan. And with the money, to buy the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. I guess that fair price of this transaction is about 100 billion USD or so paid over 10 years period.

For Russia, it is like exchanging 4 useless islands with strategic Crimea land and end major international disputes that Russia is facing with Ukraine, EU countries, USA and Japan.

No more economic sanction on Russia by EU and USA. Think of massive economic wealth, including gas sales and investment and trade, that such peace will bring to Russia. Russia also should normalize relationship with neighboring Ukraine for lasting peace and economic prosperity. Russia will be permanent owner of the Crimea without dispute and it will be recognized internationally and lawfully. So Russia will get rid of image of international bad guy or offending invader.

For Ukraine, there is no hope that Ukraine can win Russia in military war and take the Crimean Peninsula back. Russia will never forfeit Crimea. Historically Crimea was Russian land anyway. So it is much better and practical to get huge money instead of the land that was already taken by Russia. And Ukraine also need to normalize relationship with Russia for the lasting peace and trade for national rebuilding and economic recovery. The Donbass region conflict may be also part of the peace deal.

100 billion USD is huge money for Ukraine (yearly GDP: 150 billions, Gov't budget: 40 billions) which is war-torn and experiencing financial difficulty for years. Such huge money can be invested wisely to boost local industry and economy to compensate the loss of Crimea.

For Japan, The 4 Kuril Islands dispute is the most outstanding major long-standing obstacle of Russo-Japanese relationship. So this deal will be major diplomatic victory for both Russia and Japan.

100 billions is not so big sum of money for Japan. Japan is spending defense budget of about 50 billion USD a year. So by resolving border dispute with Russia, and reducing military tension between them, Japan can save huge chuck of defense budget against conflict with Russia. It will be huge saving in money and breakthrough in national security. The value of the peace may exceed few 100's of billions USD over next 10-30 years. It is quite a sweet deal for Japan, I think.

What do you think about my proposal?

Disclaimer: BTW, I am a Korean (South) computer developer and no relationship or diplomatic or visiting experience or knowledge on any of Russia, Ukraine, or Japan.