Russia summons Japan’s ambassador over disputed islands row
Tokyo condemned president Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Russia’s far-eastern Kuril Islands, which Japan also claims.
Moscow has summoned Japan's ambassador in response to Tokyo's criticism of President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, which Japan claims as its Northern Territories. The Kuril Islands were seized by the Soviet Union in 1945. Putin traveled to the islands after a visit to Russia's Sakhalin Island, leading Japan to summon Russia's ambassador.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Japan's officials had "crossed the line of decency" by criticizing Putin's trip. Initially, Tokyo refused to allow the ambassador to attend immediately, claiming he was either not in Moscow or unwell. However, after Lavrov's comments, the ambassador reportedly "suddenly started feeling better" and will attend on Tuesday.
Lavrov emphasized that the summons aimed to address the conduct of the Japanese leadership and the appropriate behavior of ambassadors in the host country. Relations between Japan and Russia have deteriorated since the start of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine in 2022. Japan has joined other G7 nations in imposing sanctions on Russia and providing Kyiv with financial and non-lethal defense assistance.
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- Russia summons Japan’s ambassador over disputed islands row freemalaysiatoday.com
