Russia's Putin visits Japan-claimed islands for first time; Tokyo protests
Putin’s first personal trip to the Kuril chain included a fish plant visit after Pacific Fleet drills and renewed Japan’s protest over the disputed islands.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, one of the disputed Kuril Islands claimed by Japan, on August 13, 2026, marking his first visit to the area after overseeing Pacific Fleet exercises in Russia's Far East.
- Japan protested Putin's visit, stating the Northern Territories, including Iturup, are Japan's inherent territory both historically and under international law, emphasizing the unresolved dispute stemming from World War II.
- The islands have been controlled by Russia since the Soviet Union seized them at the end of World War II, preventing a formal peace treaty between Russia and Japan.
- Relations between Moscow and Tokyo have deteriorated sharply due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Japan imposing sanctions and Russia ending peace negotiations and joint projects involving the disputed islands.
190 Articles
190 Articles
With his trip to the controversial group of islands, the Russian president demonstrates geopolitical determination. Putin's return to the Russian province after months in Moscow, however, also has domestic political reasons.
Japan condemns Putin’s visit to Kuril Islands: What is the dispute about?
Putin visited Iturup, one of the southern Kuril Islands, on Thursday (August 13). Japan claims the island, which it calls Etorofu, as part of its Northern Territories. Tokyo described the visit as “absolutely unacceptable” and formally protested to Russia.
Vladimir Putin reignites WW2 row after 'absolutely unacceptable' visit to disputed islands
Vladimir Putin has reignited a World War Two row after he made his first-ever trip to the contested Kuril Islands.Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denounced the visit as "absolutely unacceptable", telling reporters it "wounds the feelings of the Japanese people" and was "incompatible with Japan's consistent position on the Northern Territories".Ms Takaichi insisted the island chain, which the Russian President visited today, remained "a uni…
El Periódico
informacion.esVladimir Putin chats the local caviar in a fish processing plant and in front of huge salmon and charters arranged on the table hears how the officials talk about their migratory cycles. "What a wonderful time you have here, like a resort", exclaims to please the locals despite the fact that the climate in the Kurile islands alternates summers generously watered by monsoon and freezing winters. Those propaganda scenes to use have decomposed Japa…
Andriy Sibiga, calling Putin's visit to the islands of Iturup a provocation and call Japan a challenge. Vin voiced that Russia will illegally buy Pivnichny territories. August 13, 2026
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