Putin Visits Kuril Islands to 'Punish' Japan Over Ukraine Stance
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands on August 17, 2026, to signal displeasure with Japan's criticism of Russia's actions in Ukraine. Russia summoned Japan's ambassador in response to Tokyo's condemnation of the visit. The dispute over the islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan, remains a longstanding point of contention between the two nations.
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Moscow said on Monday it had summoned the Japanese ambassador after Tokyo condemned President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Russia’s far-eastern Kuril Islands, which are also claimed by Japan. Russian-Japanese relations have long been dogged by the contested islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories and seized by the Soviet Union in 1945. Putin, 73, travelled to the islands after visiting the nearby Russian island of Sakhalin, prompting Japan to summon Russia’s ambassador in...
Analysts have said a visit by Russia's leader to a disputed island chain sent a "message" to Japan, which for decades has sought to reclaim control of the territory.
Analysts have said a visit by Russia's leader to a disputed island chain sent a "message" to Japan, which for decades has sought to reclaim control of the territory.