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US backs Japan on Kuril Islands after Putin visit sparks criticism
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece /Conflict & Security

US backs Japan on Kuril Islands after Putin visit sparks criticism

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The U.S. ambassador to Tokyo affirmed Washington's recognition of Japan's sovereignty over the Kuril Islands.
  • Russia and Japan exchanged sharp criticism following President Putin's visit to the islands, which are disputed by both nations.
  • The territorial dispute over the four southern Kuril islands, occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, has prevented a formal peace treaty between Russia and Japan.

The United States stands with Japan in its territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands, with the U.S. ambassador to Tokyo emphasizing Washington's recognition of Japan's sovereignty. This statement follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the islands, a move that has escalated tensions between Moscow and Tokyo.

The U.S. maintains its unwavering support for Japan, its most important ally, and recognizes its national sovereignty over the Northern Territories.

โ€” George GlassU.S. Ambassador to Tokyo George Glass affirmed U.S. support for Japan's sovereignty over the Kuril Islands.

Ambassador George Glass stated via X, using the Japanese name for the islands, that the U.S. "unwaveringly supports Japan, its most important ally, and recognizes its national sovereignty over the Northern Territories." He added that as Japan and the U.S. collaborate to promote prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, they "strongly oppose any actions that could undermine peace and stability in the region."

As Japan and the U.S. collaborate, within the framework of their alliance, to promote prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region, we strongly oppose any action that could undermine peace and stability in the region.

โ€” George GlassU.S. Ambassador to Tokyo George Glass commented on the U.S.-Japan alliance and regional stability.

The dispute centers on four islands occupied by the Soviet Union in the final days of World War II. Japan bases its claim on an 1855 treaty, while Russia cites the Yalta Conference agreement from February 1945, which stipulated the Kuril Islands would be ceded to the USSR in exchange for its entry into the war against Japan. This long-standing disagreement has prevented the two nations from signing a formal peace treaty.

This visitโ€ฆ hurts the feelings of the Japanese people, it is absolutely unacceptableโ€ฆ We strongly protest.

โ€” Sanae TakaichiJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed strong disapproval of Putin's visit.

Russia, through its foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, rejected Japan's "baseless" criticisms, accusing Tokyo of an "anti-Russian policy bordering on hostility" and an "obsession with revisionist rhetoric." Zakharova asserted that there is "no doubt" regarding Russia's sovereignty and jurisdiction over these islands. The islands are currently inhabited by approximately 20,000 Russian citizens.

For national sovereignty and for Russia's jurisdiction over these islands, there is no doubt.

โ€” Maria ZakharovaRussian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova asserted Russia's sovereignty over the Kuril Islands.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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