Now Reading: Putin visits disputed Kuril island, drawing Japan’s protest
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Putin visits disputed Kuril island, drawing Japan’s protest
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, one of four southern Kuril Islands claimed by Japan, in his first reported personal trip to the chain. Russian state media said he toured a fish-processing…
The Story in Brief
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, one of four southern Kuril Islands claimed by Japan, in his first reported personal trip to the chain. Russian state media said he toured a fish-processing plant, sampled fish roe and met residents. Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi called the islands Japanese territory under history and international law and said Tokyo strongly protested the visit.
The Soviet Union seized the islands in 1945 and deported about 17,000 Japanese residents. Russia administers them today, with about 20,000 people living there, while Japan calls them the Northern Territories. The dispute has prevented a formal post-World War II peace treaty. Relations worsened after Japan sanctioned Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Moscow suspended peace talks.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that the visit alone changes the islands’ legal status are exaggerated, just as dismissing Japan’s objection as routine misses its diplomatic weight. Moscow is reinforcing its control, while Tokyo is restating a claim rooted in history and law. With sanctions and military activity already narrowing trust, grand gestures will not settle the dispute. The practical test is whether either side returns to talks on the four islands and a peace treaty.
Sources (4): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, hindustantimes.com, news.abplive.com, nationalheraldindia.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.
