World 0

18.08.2026.

16:00

Tense meeting in Moscow PHOTO/VIDEO

Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Japanese ambassador to protest Tokyo’s condemnation of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Islands, a Pacific archipelago administered by Moscow but claimed by both countries.

Izvor: AP

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Tense meeting in Moscow PHOTO/VIDEO
Vladimir Gerdo / Zuma Press / Profimedia

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Last week, Putin visited Iturup, one of the four southernmost islands in the chain, which Japan calls the Northern Territories. The Soviet Union seized the islands in the final days of World War II, and the dispute has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their hostilities.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that Putin’s visit, his first to the islands, was “incompatible with Japan’s position on the Northern Territories” and “absolutely unacceptable.” She said the visit was another blow to already strained relations between the two countries over Ukraine, and that Moscow should understand the consequences.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo “strongly protests” Putin’s visit to Iturup, which Japan calls Etorofu, stressing that the Northern Territories, including Etorofu Island, are inherent Japanese territory both historically and under international law. 

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin met with Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto today to lodge a formal protest over the “anti-Russian” statements made by Takaichi and Motegi.

“Russia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands are absolutely indisputable,” Galuzin told Muto, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. 

Tense meeting in Moscow PHOTO/VIDEO
Muto Vladimir Gerdo / Zuma Press / Profimedia

“These territories became part of our country as a result of World War II, as established by the relevant agreements of the Allied Powers and the UN Charter,” the ministry said. “Any attempt by the Japanese side to directly or indirectly call this obvious reality into question is absolutely unacceptable and unlawful.” 

Galuzin told the ambassador that, given Tokyo’s adherence to Western sanctions against Russia and its support for Ukraine, “Moscow reserves the right to take appropriate countermeasures.”

Decades of diplomatic efforts to negotiate a settlement have produced no tangible results. Over the years, Moscow has also strengthened its military presence on the Kuril Islands, seemingly underscoring its firm position in the dispute. 

Tense meeting in Moscow PHOTO/VIDEO
Vladimir Gerdo / Zuma Press / Profimedia

Speaking last week aboard a Russian warship participating in exercises in the Pacific, Putin said that Moscow had previously “developed constructive relations with a number of Japanese leaders,” including the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who did a great deal to bring Japan and Russia closer together and align their positions.

Japan imposed sanctions on Russia after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 and “identified Russia as a primary threat,” Putin added, describing this as a shift away from the previously constructive relationship.

Russia remains ready “to cooperate with all of its neighbors, including Japan and other countries in the region,” Putin said. 

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Vladimir Putin Russia Japan

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