Russian Media: Putin Visits Disputed Kuril Islands with Japan for the First Time

Moscow, August 13 (KUNA) – The Russian news agency TASS reported on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, a move that has once again highlighted the longstanding historical dispute between Moscow and Tokyo over the strategically located archipelago in the far east of Russia. The agency posted a brief message in English on its Telegram channel, stating that “President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands for the first time,” without providing further details. The strategic archipelago, located in the far east of Asia, has been under Russian control since the end of World War II, while Japan claims sovereignty over its southern islands, making it one of the most prominent issues in the dispute between the two neighboring maritime powers. Despite maintaining diplomatic relations, the disagreement has prevented the signing of a final peace treaty that would formally end the legacy of the war between them. (End) H.S.S.