US backs Japan amid Putin's visit to illegally occupied islands
US Ambassador to Tokyo George Glass said that the United States recognizes Japan's sovereignty over the islands that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin visited the previous day.
The United States has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Japan and its recognition of Tokyo's sovereignty over the Northern Territories, a group of islands in the Pacific. US officials have strongly condemned any actions that could destabilize the region's peace and stability. In response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Etorofu Island, which is part of the Northern Territories, Japan's Foreign Minister lodged a protest with Moscow.
The Northern Territories, which include Etorofu, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai Islands, were occupied by the Soviet Union following World War II. Japan has consistently maintained that the Soviet Union's seizure of the islands was unlawful. In March 2022, the Japanese government restored the term "illegally occupied" in its annual Diplomatic Bluebook to refer to the Northern Territories.
In October 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the Northern Territories as occupied by Russia through a presidential decree. This move further strained relations between Japan and Russia, as both nations continue to dispute the ownership of these islands.
Written by urgent.news from Ukrinform - Politics's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
