Putin's First Visit to Disputed Kuril Islands Turns Dormant Territorial Dispute Into Active Flashpoint

Putin visited the Russian-administered Kuril Islands on August 13, 2026 — his first trip to the chain Japan claims as its Northern Territories. Tokyo lodged two protests, including over announced military exercises. Putin called Japan's G7-aligned sanctions "unprovoked," signaling Russia now wields the territorial dispute as leverage rather than a subject for negotiation.