Russia Protests Japan Over Putin's Iturup Visit
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized Japan's reaction to President Vladimir Putin's visit to Iturup Island, calling the remarks 'unacceptable' and accusing Japan of hypocrisy over historical issues. Japan had protested the visit and recalled its ambassador to Moscow, while Russia summoned Japan's ambassador in response.
Consensus
- President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island on August 13, marking his first visit to the island during his presidency.
- The visit prompted a protest from Japan's Foreign Ministry, which called the Russian ambassador to Moscow.
- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Japan's reaction was 'unacceptable' and crossed diplomatic boundaries.
- Russia summoned Japan's ambassador to Moscow to discuss the protest and the ambassador's conduct in Russia.
- Japan referred to the southern Kuril Islands as its 'northern territories' and claimed they are historically and legally part of Japan.
- Russia maintains that the southern Kuril Islands are part of its territory under both domestic law and international law, having been incorporated after World War II.
- The Japanese ambassador did not attend the meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry, citing unclear reasons including health issues or absence from Moscow.
Points of divergence
- Maria Zakharova accused Japan of double standards by expressing 'offended feelings' over Putin's visit while remaining silent about U.S. responsibility for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. — vesti
- Japan recalled the Russian ambassador from Tokyo following Putin's visit to the Kurils. — tg_tvrain
- The Russian Foreign Ministry initially reported that the Japanese ambassador had refused to attend the meeting, but later clarified he was expected on August 18. — kommerzant
- The Japanese ambassador claimed he was either not in Moscow or unwell, and the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed confusion over the explanation. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- Lavrov accused Japan of attempting to divert attention from its own militarization through baseless claims against Russia. — vm
- Lavrov cited Article 7 of the UN Charter to justify Russia's position, stating that Japan acknowledged the legal validity of actions taken by Allied powers against former enemies during WWII. — interfax
Coverage (20 sources)
- Zakhrova: Japan declares 'feelings' over Iturup, but stays silent on Hiroshima — Вести
- In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they reminded about the unshakable jurisdiction of the RF over the Kurils — Вести
- Japan summoned Russian ambassador over Putin's visit to Kurils — first such call during his presidency — Дождь (Telegram)
- Russian Foreign Ministry expressed protest to Japan's ambassador after remarks about Putin's trip to Iturup — Коммерсантъ
- Lavrov complained that Japan's ambassador refused to come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on summons — The Moscow Times
- The Japanese ambassador must come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they will talk to him about the protest over Putin's visit to Iturup and about the approach to his work in Russia... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Lavrov: Japan crossed the line in statements about Putin's visit to the Kurils — Вечерняя Москва
- Lavrov: Japanese ambassador refused to appear at Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Коммерсантъ
- Lavrov surprised that Japan's ambassador in Moscow could not arrive at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Вечерняя Москва
- Lavrov called Japan's statements about Putin's visit to the Kurils unacceptable — Интерфакс
- Lavrov: Japan has crossed the line in statements about Putin's visit to Iturup — Коммерсантъ
- Lavrov: Foreign Ministry summoned Japan's ambassador in Moscow after Tokyo's remarks on Putin's trip to Iturup — РИА Новости (Telegram)
- Lavrov: Russian Foreign Ministry Called Japanese Ambassador, but He Did Not Come for Unknown Reasons — Вести
- Russia summoned Japan's ambassador after Tokyo protests over Putin's trip, but embassy says he won't visit MI... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Takagi has no right to criticize Putin for the visit to Iturup, writes publication Strategic Culture. The Japanese prime minister has enough... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Lavrov called unacceptable Japan's statements about Putin's trip to Iturup — Вести
- Strategic Culture: Japan hypocritically criticizes Putin's visit to the Kurils — Вечерняя Москва
- SC: Takaiti has no right to criticize Putin for the visit to the Kurils — Ведомости
- Hypocrisy and hysteria: Media on Takagi's reaction to Putin's visit to Iturup — Вести
- SC: Japanese Prime Minister Takahito has no right to criticize Putin for the visit to Iturup — Москва 24
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