Russia has strongly refuted Japan’s objections to President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Iturup, one of the Kuril Islands. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the Japanese government’s statements as “politically irrelevant, offensive, and legally null and void.” The dispute centers on the islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan, which were seized by the Soviet Union following World War II. Japan claims sovereignty over the islands, while Russia maintains its ownership. This visit has further strained already tense relations between the two nations. Moscow views Japan’s criticism as unacceptable interference in its internal affairs and a disregard for historical realities. The incident underscores the ongoing complexities in resolving the territorial dispute.