Moscow-Sana
Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation Council Vladimir Gabarov emphasized that the Kuril Islands are Russian territory and Moscow considers this issue settled.
"We do not need permission or notification from another country to visit our territory," Gabarov said in a statement to TASS, commenting on Japan's protest against Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's visit to Iturup Island in the Kuril Islands today.
He added, "I think the Japanese government should act more calmly in this regard and should realize that Russia considers the issue of these islands a closed and settled issue."
Gabarov pointed out that Moscow has repeatedly called on Japan for economic cooperation in the islands for the benefit of the two countries, and this is much better than making the islands a part of Japan, where American bases can appear on its territory the next day, which the Japanese do not hide. They are under the American umbrella and will These islands are being handed over to build US bases on and this is never up for discussion with Russia.”
The Japanese Foreign Ministry had earlier summoned Russia's ambassador to it, Mikhail Galusin, to protest against Mishustin's visit to the islands, and Galusin told reporters later, "In light of Russia's principled position on this issue, we do not accept the Japanese protest."
The issue of signing a peace treaty between Russia and Japan has been pending for 70 years, as Moscow requires Tokyo's recognition of the results of World War II, which means recognition of Russia's sovereignty over the four islands before any talk about it.