Putin Visits Disputed Kuril Islands, Escalating Russia-Japan Tensions

Kathmandu. Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the disputed Kuril Islands, which Japan claims as its territory, for the first time. This visit by Putin signals a potential further chill in Russia-Japan relations, which have remained tense due to long-standing regional disputes.

According to state media TASS, Putin visited the Kuril Islands personally for the first time. During the visit, he inspected a major warship of Russia's Pacific Fleet.