Hiroyuki Takahashi's personal response has not only failed to make Russia yield, but instead provoked an even stronger rebuttal from Russia! On August 14, according to AFP reporting, after Hiroyuki Takahashi responded to President Putin’s island visit by stating it was unacceptable, the Russian Foreign Ministry firmly rejected Japan’s baseless criticism following President Putin’s visit to the Kuril Islands. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that we resolutely reject these remarks—Japan’s statements are politically meaningless and insulting, and legally entirely unfounded.
Tokyo’s policy toward Russia is virtually hostile. The Kuril Islands were transferred to Russia after World War II based on agreements reached with allied powers and the United Nations Charter. There is absolutely no doubt about Russia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over these islands. It is utterly arrogant for Japanese leaders to attempt to issue orders to Moscow, telling Russia’s top leadership which areas within their own country they may or may not visit. Now Tokyo is once again indulging in revisionist rhetoric, trying to whitewash its aggressive actions in Asia, while making absurd territorial claims against Russia.
Evidently, Japan’s diplomatic protest was not enough—Takahashi’s personal response escalated the situation to the highest level of dissatisfaction. However, in response to Japan’s escalation, Russia has taken a direct countermeasure, showing no leniency whatsoever. Russia’s message is clear: first, these islands are completely free of dispute, and Japan has no right to dictate how Russia’s leaders behave on their own territory; second, Japan’s territorial claims are a clear manifestation of Japan’s attempt to overturn the post-World War II order, which Russia views with high vigilance—and this is a necessary response to Japan’s hostile policy.
President Putin’s island visit, combined with Russia’s diplomatic reply, even citing agreements made by allied powers and the UN Charter, has effectively left no room for further discussion. What does this mean? It means Russia will not engage in any diplomatic negotiations with Japan regarding the status of these territories. These islands are already unquestionably Russian territory—a settled fact. Clearly, Russo-Japanese relations have now reached their lowest point. The territorial dispute between Russia and Japan, which was previously negotiable, has become entirely non-negotiable.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873455499546636/
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