The Kuril Islands belong to Japan by history and international law, so Putin setting foot on Iturup is a slap in the face to Tokyo. This stunt is not diplomacy, it is a calculated move to normalize illegal occupation and prove Moscow only respects force. The world needs to condemn this provocation and tighten sanctions before the aggressor thinks this playbook works elsewhere.
Japanese officials can complain all they want, but the Kuril Islands were, are, and will remain Russian territory. No amount of protest or historical argument changes that reality on the ground. Anyone who refuses to accept this fact will face serious consequences for that delusion.
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