US Backs Japan After Putin’s Visit to Disputed Kuril Islands
The US ambassador to Japan said Washington recognizes Tokyo’s sovereignty over islands visited by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Aug. 13. Japan summoned Russia’s ambassador in response, while Moscow insisted the islands are part of Russian territory and not a matter of discussion with foreign states.
The United States has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, recognizing Japan's sovereignty over the Northern Territories. Putin visited the islands for the first time in his 26-year tenure on Thursday, Aug. 13, reigniting tensions in a decades-long territorial dispute with Japan. George Glass, the US ambassador to Japan, stated that the US opposes any actions undermining peace and stability in the region.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized that the Northern Territories are an inherent part of Japan's territory, both historically and under international law. However, the Russian embassy rejected Japan's objections, asserting that the islands are an integral part of the Russian Federation. The dispute, rooted in Empress Catherine II's 1786 declaration, continues to strain relations between the two nations.
Japan's strained diplomatic ties with Russia have further deepened following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Moscow withdrawing from a peace treaty and freezing joint economic projects involving the islands.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
