Vladimir Putin visits disputed Kuril Islands prompting strong protest from Japan

On August 13, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted his first-ever personal visit to the Kuril Islands, a territory disputed by Moscow and Tokyo for decades. Starting in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on Sakhalin Island, Putin traveled to Iturup, where he inspected the Varyag cruiser, the flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet, and visited a local fish processing plant. The visit occurred just two days before the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.

The Japanese government issued a strong formal protest, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi condemning the trip as "absolutely unacceptable" and an insult to the Japanese people. Tokyo maintains that the four islands, which it calls the Northern Territories, are historically and legally part of its sovereign territory. The inability to resolve this dispute has prevented the two nations from signing a formal peace treaty following World War II. Relations have further deteriorated since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The United States has reaffirmed its support for Japan, with the U.S. ambassador to Tokyo, George Glass, stating that Washington recognizes Japanese sovereignty over the disputed islands. Russian state media framed the visit as an inspection of remote regional infrastructure, though observers suggest Putin is prioritizing travel to areas distant from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.