# Russia rejects Japan’s sovereignty claims over Southern Kuril Islands

https://mins.news/en/item/23269

- CGTN, 2026-08-14 01:11 UTC
- World
- Original: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-14/Russia-rejects-Japan-s-sovereignty-claims-over-Southern-Kuril-Islands-1PAOqJvF7na/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&UTM_Medium=rss&UTM_Campaign=World

> Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said the Southern Kuril Islands will remain Russian territory and dismissed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s claim that they are inherently Japanese. Takaichi had protested Vladimir Putin’s visit to a disputed island. Competing claims over four Pacific islands have kept Moscow and Tokyo from signing a postwar peace treaty.

## Related coverage

- [Japan summons Russian ambassador after Putin visits disputed islands](https://mins.news/en/video/21326) — CNA, 2026-08-13
- [Those questioning Kuril Islands’ belonging face dire consequences, Medvedev says](https://mins.news/en/item/21157) — TASS, 2026-08-13
- [Japan protests Putin visit to disputed Kuril island](https://mins.news/en/item/20846) — BBC News, 2026-08-13