Kathmandu: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Islands has been described by Russian experts as a strategically calculated move aimed at reaffirming Moscow’s position over the disputed territory.
The visit drew an immediate protest from Japan, which reiterated that it does not recognize Russia’s sovereignty over the islands. Moscow, however, has made clear that it has no intention of reopening the question of sovereignty.
Russian experts told local media that Putin’s visit also highlighted Moscow’s focus on developing infrastructure and improving the living conditions of residents in the Kuril Islands.
Despite the current tensions, analysts said Russia is not ruling out a resumption of constructive dialogue with Tokyo. They noted, however, that political relations between the two countries remain largely frozen, while economic cooperation has declined.
According to the experts, Putin’s visit sends a clear message that Russia considers the territorial issue settled and does not view itself as posing a threat to Japan. At the same time, Moscow has warned that further unfriendly measures by Tokyo could deepen the existing diplomatic crisis.
The Kuril Islands remain one of the most sensitive territorial disputes between Russia and Japan, continuing to affect bilateral relations decades after the end of World War II.
