Putin visits disputed Iturup island, Japan protests

MOSCOW, Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, an island claimed by Japan at the end of the Kuril chain near Hokkaido, Russian media reported on August 13. His visit came a day after major naval drills and a missile launch by Russia's ally North Korea. Russia and Japan have never signed a formal peace treaty to officially end World War II. The main obstacle has been the unresolved territorial d
2026-08-13 19:06:30