Russia protests to Japan over condemnation of Putin's visit to Kuril Islands

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Japanese ambassador today and expressed its protest over official Tokyo's condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands.

This archipelago in the Pacific is controlled by Russia, and is claimed by both Tokyo and Moscow.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin met with Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto to lodge a formal protest over statements by Japanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sanae Takaichi and Toshimitsu Motegi.

"Russia's sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands are absolutely indisputable," Galuzin said, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Last week, Putin visited Iturup, one of the four southernmost Kuril Islands, which Japan calls the Northern Territories.

The Soviet Union occupied them in the final days of World War II.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that Putin's visit to the islands was incompatible with Japan's position on the Northern Territories and was unacceptable.

She added that the visit is an additional blow to the already strained relations between the two countries due to their stance on Ukraine and that Moscow needs to understand the consequences.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tokyo was protesting Putin's visit to Iturup, which Japan calls Etorofu, noting that "the Northern Territories, including Etorofu Island, are inherent territory of Japan both historically and from the standpoint of international law."