Russia halts peace talks with Japan over Kuril Islands dispute

Russia has officially suspended peace treaty negotiations with Japan amid a renewed flare-up in the long-standing territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a strong response to Japan’s renewed demands for the return of the Kuril Islands, effectively halting any hopes of territorial concessions, Caliber.Az reports via the Chinese news outlet. 

In recent years, Japan has imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia, actions Moscow views as emblematic of an increasingly unfriendly policy. Despite these strained relations, Tokyo has continued to press for the return of the Kuril Islands — a chain of islands administered by Russia but claimed by Japan since the end of World War II.

The Kremlin responded decisively, suspending peace treaty negotiations with Japan, terminating a visa-free travel agreement for Japanese citizens, and freezing joint economic development projects in the disputed region. President Putin’s move signals a clear end to any potential trade-off between economic cooperation and territorial compromise. 

The decision appears to cement Russia’s position on the long-contested island chain. Tensions were further exacerbated in late May when Russian military drills took place near the southern Kurils without prior warning to nearby civilian vessels. The exercises prompted concern in Tokyo, with Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi vowing to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

By Naila Huseynova