MOSCOW, Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, an island claimed by Japan on the finish of the Kuril chain close to Hokkaido, Russian media reported on August 13. His go to got here a day after main naval drills and a missile launch by Russia’s ally North Korea.
Russia and Japan have by no means signed a proper peace treaty to formally finish World War II. The major impediment has been the unresolved territorial dispute over the islands, which Japan calls the Northern Territories.
During the go to, which state news company TASS described as Putin’s first in individual to the island chain, he toured the Yasny fish-processing plant on Iturup after overseeing naval workout routines in Russia’s Far East.
Japan’s overseas minister protested in opposition to Putin’s go to on the social media platform X.
“The northern territories, including Etorofu, are Japan’s inherent territory both historically and based on international law,” mentioned Toshimitsu Motegi. “Japan strongly protests this visit.”
Images broadcast by Vesti TV confirmed Putin sporting a darkish go well with, standing in a room, and two giant tuna and halibut on a desk. Two officers spoke to him about fishing and fish motion. He additionally stopped to strive some native fish roe.
“What lovely weather you have there, just like a resort!” Putin informed a bunch of Iturup residents. “And we thought you arranged this!” a lady mentioned in response.
The go to got here after North Korea, Russia’s ally, fired a ballistic missile on August 12 in the direction of waters off the japanese coast of the Korean Peninsula. The launch occurred days earlier than main joint navy workout routines by South Korea and the United States, which Pyongyang has lengthy condemned.