Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, one of the disputed Kuril Islands claimed by both Russia and Japan, on Thursday, according to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.
The visit comes as the territorial dispute continues to prevent Moscow and Tokyo from signing a formal peace treaty to officially end their World War II hostilities.
Putin Tours Fish Plant on Iturup
Putin travelled to Iturup after overseeing naval exercises in Russia’s Far East. TASS described the trip as his first in-person visit to the Kuril Islands.
During his visit, Putin toured the Yasny fish-processing plant and received a briefing on the region’s fishing industry and the movement of migratory fish.
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Footage aired by Russia’s Vesti TV showed Putin inside the facility wearing a dark suit as officials displayed two large fish, identified as tuna and halibut.
The Russian president also sampled local fish roe during his visit.
Kuril Islands Remain Disputed
The Kuril Islands have been at the centre of a long-running territorial dispute between Russia and Japan. Japan refers to the southern islands as the Northern Territories and maintains its claim over them, while Russia has administered the territory since the end of World War II.
The unresolved dispute has prevented the two countries from concluding a formal World War II peace treaty.
Putin’s visit to Iturup highlights Moscow’s continued presence on the disputed islands and comes amid the broader, longstanding territorial disagreement between Russia and Japan.
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