Vladimir Putin's first visit to disputed Pacific islands draws Tokyo protest

Key Points:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the Kuril Islands, a disputed Pacific archipelago controlled by Russia but claimed by Japan, prompting a diplomatic protest from Tokyo.
• Putin toured facilities on Iturup Island and emphasized that the Kuril Islands' status is established by international documents following World War II, while expressing willingness to seek a peace treaty with Japan.
• Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi condemned the visit as a violation of Japan's territorial rights and summoned the Russian ambassador to protest, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi calling the visit "absolutely unacceptable."
• Russia dismissed Japan's protest as unfounded, asserting the Kuril Islands are an integral part of Russia and that Putin's visit is a sovereign decision not subject to foreign discussion.
• Former Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev reinforced Russia's claim to the islands, warning Japan of "monstrous consequences" if it fails to accept Russian sovereignty over the Kurils.