In the quest to address a a decades-old territorial dispute, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that it is necessary to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Russian leader said in a meeting with reporters in St. Petersburg that he believes it is possible to resolve the issue, though he did not elaborate.

It was Putin's first comment on the territorial row since Abe vowed earlier this week to take the reins in addressing the dispute "as soon as possible."