Russian State Duma publicly threatens Japan over Kuril islands, invokes nuclear weapons
Russia publicly threatened Japan over the territorial dispute involving the Kuril Islands, again invoking its nuclear arsenal, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said, according to Russian state media on Aug. 26.
On August 26, the Russian State Duma Speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, publicly threatened Japan over the territorial dispute concerning the Kuril Islands, alluding to his nation's nuclear arsenal, according to Russian state media. Volodin, without providing evidence, alleged that Tokyo was employing provocative language due to its claims to the Kuril Islands.
This context prompted him to reiterate a Russian propaganda claim that the Kuril Islands are "an integral part of Russia." He warned, "They should remember the time when militarist Japan caused the deaths of millions of civilians. Now they are trying to return to the same rhetoric. They should not. It is impossible to defeat a nuclear power such as Russia."
On August 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the Kuril Islands since assuming power in Russia more than two decades ago. Japan had protested his visit. On August 13, Japan's Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, reiterated that the four "Northern Territories," including Iturup Island, belong to Japan both historically and under international law.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called Putin's visit completely unacceptable and Japan also summoned the Russian ambassador. The Kuril Islands, which include Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai islets, were seized by the Soviet Union shortly after World War II. Russia claims its acquisition of the islands was legitimate, while Japan maintains that they were illegally seized. The territorial dispute has prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty.
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