Putin’s visit to contested Kuril Islands sparks protests from Japan
Moscow — Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands, a Russian-controlled Pacific island chain claimed by Japan, for the first time on Thursday, drawing protests from Tokyo, reports BritPanorama.
During his visit to Iturup, one of the southernmost islands, Putin toured a fish plant, a hospital, and a school. He engaged briefly with local residents and met with Valery Limarenko, governor of Russia’s Sakhalin region.
Japan asserts its territorial rights over the four southernmost islands, referred to as the Northern Territories. These islands were taken by the Soviet Union during the final days of World War II, and the ongoing dispute has prevented the two nations from signing a definitive peace treaty.
Attempts at diplomatic resolution have yet to yield concrete results. In response to the ongoing tensions, Moscow has significantly increased its military presence in the Kuril Islands, further solidifying its stance on the matter.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed strong dissatisfaction with Putin’s visit to Iturup, which Japan calls Etorofu. “The Northern Territories, including Etorofu (Iturup) Island, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and from the perspective of international law,” Motegi said in a statement.
This protests follows a similar reaction in 2021 when Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visited Iturup.
In recent days, Putin has been active in Russia’s Siberia and Far East regions. Before his trip to Iturup, he attended military drills conducted by Russia’s Pacific Fleet on Sakhalin Island.
Addressing military personnel aboard a warship, Putin stated that the current status of the Kuril Islands is “enshrined in international documents as a reality that arose following the outcome of World War II.” However, he also remarked that Russia is open to finding a resolution for a peace treaty with Japan.
Putin highlighted the past constructive relations between Russia and various Japanese leaders, including the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who he noted contributed to a closer alignment of positions between the countries.
He characterized Japan’s position as altered since the country imposed sanctions on Russia following its military actions in Ukraine in February 2022. “Still, Russia is ready to cooperate with all its neighbors, including Japan and other states in the region,” concluded the Russian president.
