Putin Makes First Trip to Etorofu Island

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Etorofu Island on August 12, marking his first trip to the island claimed by Japan as one of the Northern Territories. During his visit, Putin inspected facilities on the island, including a seafood processing plant. He referred to the Northern Territories as islands over which Japan claims sovereignty, while asserting that Russian control was established after World War II and acknowledged in international documents.

The visit highlights the ongoing territorial dispute over the islands, which has prevented Japan and Russia from signing a formal peace treaty following World War II. Japan considers the four islands part of its territory, while Russia administers them as part of its Kuril Islands. The dispute traces back to the Treaty of Shimoda in 1855, the Treaty of St. Petersburg in 1875, and the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty.

Despite numerous attempts at negotiations, the issue remains unresolved, with both countries maintaining differing interpretations of the historical arrangement and the legal status of the islands.