Medvedev: Kurils Were, Are, and Will Be Russian

Medvedev: The Kuril Islands have been, are, and will be Russian territory.

Consensus

Dmitry Medvedev stated that the Kuril Islands were, are, and will remain Russian territory.
Medvedev responded to comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi claiming the Kurils are historically Japanese.
Medvedev warned that those who do not accept Russia's sovereignty over the Kurils will face severe consequences.
President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island in the Kuril chain on August 12.
Japan expressed strong protest over Putin's visit to Iturup.
The dispute over the southern Kuril Islands remains unresolved, with Japan claiming four islands and Russia asserting sovereignty based on post-WWII arrangements and the 1956 Moscow Declaration.
The Russian government maintains that the dispute is tied to the unratified peace treaty between Russia and Japan.

Russia summoned its ambassador to Japan's Foreign Ministry for clarification following the visit. — kommersant
The visit by Putin to Iturup is described as a clear signal to Tokyo that the Kurils are Russian land, according to expert Vladimir Nelyudov. — vesti
Japan demands the return of all four islands, while Russia refers to the 1956 declaration allowing transfer of two islands after a peace treaty is signed. — vedomosti
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that relations with Japan have reached a point of no return due to Japan's 'clumsy' actions. — vm
Sanae Takahashi called the lack of a peace treaty 'offensive' during a speech at the 45th National Congress demanding return of the Northern Territories. — vm