On August 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island in the Kuril chain, marking his first-ever trip to the disputed territory, according to the Kremlin press service. During the visit, Putin inspected the Yasny fish processing plant, the Kuril Central District Hospital, and a school named after Hero of Russia E.D. Norpolov.

He also met with Sakhalin Oblast Governor Valery Limarenko to discuss regional development. The visit has heightened tensions in Russia-Japan relations, as Tokyo claims the islands as its own 'Northern Territories.'

Japan's Foreign Ministry swiftly responded. Foreign Minister Motegi stated: 'The Northern Territories, including Iturup Island, are inherently Japanese territory both historically and under international law,' and emphasized that 'the Japanese government expresses strong protest against this visit.'

The visit came days after Putin, speaking at Pacific Fleet exercises, claimed that Russia had constructive relations with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other Japanese leaders on the Kuril issue, but that Tokyo has now shifted its stance.

Putin recalled a declaration signed in the mid-1950s, noting that Japan later reneged on it, but Russia sought to resume dialogue on a peace treaty. 'Now, unfortunately, we see changes in positions, and I must stress that there were no reasons for this on our side,' he said.

The Kuril Islands comprise Kunashir, Shikotan, Iturup, and the Habomai group. The USSR annexed them after World War II. In 1956, the Soviet Union signed a declaration with Japan, promising to hand over Shikotan and Habomai upon conclusion of a peace treaty, but Japan later demanded all islands.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Russian government suspended peace treaty negotiations with Japan. In response, Japan for the first time referred to the Kurils as 'illegally occupied.' To date, Russian leaders have visited the Kurils five times, including Dmitry Medvedev in 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2019, and Mikhail Mishustin in 2021.

Source: www.gazeta.uz