Russia rejects Japan's 'unfounded' criticism over Kuril Islands visit

Russia has strongly refuted Japan's criticism regarding President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands, labeling the Japanese stance as "unfounded" and politically inappropriate. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, denounced Tokyo's position as "insulting" and "legally unfounded," accusing Japan of pursuing an "anti-Russian policy bordering on hostility."

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We categorically reject these statements, which we consider politically irrelevant, insulting, and, of course, legally unfounded.

Zakharova asserted that Russia's sovereignty over the islands is indisputable, emphasizing that they were transferred to Russia after World War II in accordance with agreements with Allied powers and the UN Charter. She criticized Japanese leaders for arrogantly dictating which parts of Russia their head of state can visit.

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The Kuriles were transferred to (Russia) at the end of World War II, in accordance with agreements with the Allied powers and the UN Charter.

The visit to Iturup, one of the Kuril Islands, marks a significant point of contention in the decades-old territorial dispute between Russia and Japan. Tokyo claims four southern islands in the archipelago, which were occupied by the Soviet army in the final days of World War II. Japan considers the visit "absolutely unacceptable" and views it as part of a "revisionist" agenda by Tokyo to "whitewash its aggression in Asia" and make "absurd claims" against Russia. Russia also pointed to Japan's support for Ukraine and its sanctions against Moscow following the Russian military offensive.

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Russia's sovereignty and jurisdiction over these islands are beyond doubt.