Putin visits Pacific island chain claimed by Japan

Key Points:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the Kuril Islands, specifically Iturup, a territory controlled by Russia but claimed by Japan, prompting a strong diplomatic protest from Tokyo.
• Japan regards the four southernmost Kuril Islands, including Iturup (called Etorofu in Japan), as its inherent territory based on historical and international law grounds, and summoned the Russian ambassador to lodge a formal protest.
• Russia maintains that the Kuril Islands became part of its territory legally after World War II and views Putin's visit as a sovereign decision not open to foreign discussion, reiterating its firm stance on the dispute.
• The territorial disagreement has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty to end World War II hostilities, and recent visits by Russian officials have further strained bilateral relations, especially amid Japan's sanctions on Russia over Ukraine.
• Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemned Putin’s visit as unacceptable and damaging to ties, while Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev dismissed Japan’s objections, emphasizing that the Kuril Islands will remain Russian territory.