Russia's Putin Visits Disputed Iturup Island on August 13, Exacerbating Japan-Russia Tensions

Key facts

• Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island on August 13, 2026.
• Iturup, known in Japan as Etorofu, is the largest of the disputed Southern Kurils, occupied by Russia since World War II and also claimed by Japan.
• This was Putin's first visit to the disputed islands; former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited in 2010.
• Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae called Putin's visit absolutely unacceptable and said it has hardened Japanese public sentiment toward Russia.
• Russia suspended peace treaty negotiations with Japan in 2022, including talks over the Northern Territories, and canceled visa-free Japanese visits to the islands.
• Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin summoned Japan's ambassador to Moscow, Muto Akira, to protest Takaichi's statements as anti-Russia.
• Putin's visit came as Russia's Pacific Fleet conducted live-fire exercises near the disputed islands, scheduled until August 29, 2026.
• The visit occurred two days before the 81st anniversary of Japan's announcement of its intent to surrender in World War II.
• On the same day, the Chinese and Russian ambassadors to Japan issued a joint statement opposing attempts to revise the results of World War II and warning against remilitarization in the region.