Overview
- Russian state media and the Kremlin confirmed that President Vladimir Putin made a personal visit to the island of Iturup on Thursday, touring a fish plant, a hospital and a school and inspecting the Pacific Fleet flagship.
- Tokyo issued a formal and energetic protest after the visit and summoned Russian ambassador Nikolai Nozdriev, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi calling the trip 'absolutely unacceptable' and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi delivering Japan's complaint.
- The Kremlin framed the trip as routine regional oversight and reiterated that sovereignty over the islands is fixed by post‑World War II documents, while Putin criticized Japanese sanctions on Russia.
- A 2020 amendment to the Russian constitution that forbids ceding territory makes any near‑term transfer of the four southern Kurils to Japan highly unlikely and complicates diplomatic options for a peace treaty.
- The European Union urged Moscow and Tokyo to pursue peaceful reconciliation, and analysts warn the visit reinforces Russia's military and economic control over islands that host residents, fisheries and strategic bases.