The Foreign Ministry reminded Japan that the South Kuril Islands are part of Russia

The South Kuril Islands have been part of Russia since the end of World War II, recalled Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

“The South Kuril Islands are part of the Russian Federation following the results of the Second World War. In view of this fact – absolutely indisputable – any relevant so-called Tokyo protests will be further considered by us as an attempt to interfere in internal affairs and as a violation of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, ”said Zakharova (quote according to RIA Novosti).

July 4 Japan expressed protest of Russia because of the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev of Iturup Island.

As a result of the Second World War, the USSR and Japan did not conclude a peace treaty because of the dispute over the South Kuriles. It also was not concluded between modern Russia and the Japanese authorities. According to Tokyo’s position, the Russian Federation should hand over to Japan four southern islands of the Kuril chain (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, Habomai Islands). Moscow, however, recognizes the USSR’s 1956 declaration, which refers to the possibility of transferring two islands (Habomai and Shikotan) after the conclusion of a peace treaty.

In February, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke of the need to conclude a peace treaty and settle the territorial dispute with Russia. At the same time, he stressed that Tokyo has not changed its position on the issue of ownership of the islands that make up the southern part of the Kuriles. On February 10, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, called the issue of a peace treaty with Japan closed, emphasizing the impossibility of negotiations due to Tokyo’s “openly unfriendly” position. Japan has previously joined the anti-Russian sanctions of the West.