Russia summons Japanese envoy after Putin's visit to disputed Kuril Islands
- Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned Japan's ambassador on Tuesday to protest Tokyo's criticism of President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands.
- Putin visited Iturup last week, his first trip to the island, which Japan calls part of the Northern Territories.
- Japan's prime minister and foreign minister both objected strongly, saying the visit was unacceptable and that the islands are Japanese territory.
- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told the Japanese ambassador that Russia's sovereignty over the southern Kuril Islands is nonnegotiable.
- Moscow said it reserved the right to take countermeasures, while the long-running territorial dispute has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty.
Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned Japanese Ambassador Akira Muto on Tuesday after Tokyo condemned President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the Kuril Islands, a Pacific archipelago controlled by Moscow but claimed by Japan.
Putin visited Iturup last week, his first trip to one of the four southernmost islands in the chain. Japan calls the islands the Northern Territories and says they are its inherent territory under history and international law.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi both protested the visit, saying it was incompatible with Japan's position and that it further strained relations already affected by Russia's war in Ukraine.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told the ambassador that Russia's sovereignty over the southern Kurils is final and that Tokyo's statements were unacceptable. Moscow also said it could take appropriate countermeasures, while the territorial dispute continues to block a peace treaty between the two countries.
俄罗斯在普京访问争议千岛群岛后召见日本大使
俄罗斯外交部周二召见日本驻俄大使赤木毅，就东京对普京近期访问千岛群岛的批评提出抗议。千岛群岛位于太平洋，由莫斯科实际控制，但日本也声称拥有主权。
普京上周访问了伊图鲁普岛，这是他首次前往这条群岛中最南端四座岛屿之一。日本称这些岛屿为北方领土，并表示从历史和国际法角度看，它们都是日本固有领土。
日本首相高市早苗和外相茂木敏充都对这次访问表示反对，称其与日本立场不符，并说这进一步加剧了已因俄罗斯对乌克兰战争而紧张的双边关系。
俄罗斯副外长加卢津对日本大使表示，俄罗斯对南千岛群岛的主权是最终且不容置疑的，并称东京方面的表态不可接受。莫斯科还表示可能采取适当反制措施，而这场领土争议至今仍阻碍两国签署和平条约。