In a move likely to escalate tensions between Russia and Japan, President Vladimir Putin has made a high-profile visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, a chain of islands seized by Soviet forces from Japan in the final days of World War II. The islands, also known as the Northern Territories, have long been a source of contention between the two nations, with Japan claiming sovereignty over the islands and Russia arguing that they were legally annexed. Putin's visit, which comes amid a surge in Russian aggression in Eastern Europe, is seen as a bold challenge to Japan's claims and a demonstration of Russia's determination to assert its control over the islands. As a result, the visit is likely to spark anger in Tokyo and raise concerns about the future of relations between the two countries.
Putin Visits Islands Seized From Japan in World War II, Angering Tokyo The New York Times
