Ukraine condemns Putin's visit to Iturup
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Japanese island of Iturup, which is occupied by Russia. The move is a provocation and another attempt at intimidation, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry.
Provocation and demonstration of contempt
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that it views the Kremlin’s move as a deliberate attempt to raise tensions, intimidate and seek to legitimize the illegal occupation.
"Russia understands only the language of force. No demonstrative visits by Russian leaders, decades of occupation or propaganda can change the obvious: Iturup and the other Northern Territories islands are an integral part of Japan," the ministry said.
The ministry noted that Tokyo’s sovereignty over these territories is based on international law and historical facts, while the occupation itself does not create any legal rights for Russia.
Revisionism from Europe to the Pacific
The Foreign Ministry added that Russia uses the same imperialist methods in both Europe and the Pacific, seeking to redraw borders by force.
"Ukraine knows this Russian tactic all too well. It must not succeed either in Europe or in the Pacific,” the statement said.
Ukrainian diplomats expressed full solidarity with Japan and called on the international community to increase sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Moscow until it ends its occupation of foreign territories.
Tokyo’s reaction to Putin’s visit to Iturup
Putin’s visit to Iturup sparked strong outrage in Tokyo. The Japanese government lodged a strong protest and summoned the Russian ambassador.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stressed that Iturup is an integral part of Japan and said the country strongly condemned the Kremlin’s uncoordinated move.
The trip also escalated a long-standing territorial dispute between the two countries, as Putin made his first visit to the territory.
In response, Japan’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to convey an official protest to the Kremlin and condemn Russia’s provocations.
