Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Japanese island of Etorofu as a provocation and an attempt to normalize an illegal occupation. He called on international partners to condemn the Kremlin’s actions, further isolate Russia and increase sanctions pressure.
Sybiha made the statement on X.
According to Ukraine’s foreign minister, Putin’s trip demonstrated utter disrespect for Japan and was a deliberate attempt to intimidate Tokyo and escalate tensions.
“However, no provocative visits can change the reality: Etorofu is part of Japan’s Northern Territories, occupied by Russia,” Sybiha stressed.
The minister said the visit once again proved that Moscow understands only the language of strength. According to him, the Russian regime does not appreciate or respect constructive steps and does not reciprocate them.
Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine’s position remains unwavering: Japan’s sovereignty over the Northern Territories is grounded in historical facts and international law. No visit by Russian officials, passage of time or attempt to impose a fait accompli can legitimize the occupation.
The foreign minister also drew a parallel between Russia’s actions in Europe and the Pacific. He said Moscow follows the same imperial playbook everywhere: it occupies foreign land, militarizes it, threatens its neighbors and then tries to force the world to accept the illegal as irreversible.
“Ukraine knows this pattern all too well. It must not succeed, whether in Europe or in the Pacific,” Sybiha said.
The minister expressed solidarity with Japan and thanked the country for supporting Ukraine. He called on international partners to clearly condemn Putin’s provocative visit, reject any attempt to normalize Russia’s occupation, further isolate the aggressor and increase sanctions pressure.
As previously reported, Putin visited Iturup, known in Japan as Etorofu, for the first time on August 13. The Soviet Union seized the island at the end of World War II. Russia considers it part of the southern Kuril Islands, while Japan refers to the islands as its Northern Territories and considers them an integral part of its territory.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Putin’s trip offended the feelings of the Japanese people and was absolutely unacceptable. Japan’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to lodge a protest.
Japan and Russia have yet to sign a formal peace treaty following World War II because of the territorial dispute over the islands.
