Putin visits disputed Kuril islands sparking Japanese protest
Summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril islands, a group of islands claimed by both Russia and Japan, causing Japan to issue a strong protest. The islands were taken by the Soviet Union in 1945 and have been a source of tension between the two countries since then.Key Facts
- President Putin visited the Kuril islands for the first time on August 13, 2026.
- Japan claims the same islands, calling them the Northern Territories, and protested Putin’s visit.
- The Kuril islands were seized by the Soviet Union in the final days of World War II in 1945.
- Russia maintains a military presence on the islands, which are strategically important.
- The islands have a population of about 20,000 Russian residents living in harsh weather.
- The islands have valuable resources like gold, silver, and rich fishing areas.
- Japan’s population was deported from the islands after 1945.
- Past talks between Russia and Japan have not resolved the territorial dispute.
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