# Lavrov: Russia summons Japanese ambassador, accuses West of terror in Africa

https://mins.news/en/item/24237

- TASS, 2026-08-17 14:00 UTC
- World
- Original: https://tass.com/politics/2174235

> Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tokyo’s remarks about Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Islands crossed the line, prompting Russia to summon Japan’s ambassador. He also said Moscow was concerned about alleged Ukrainian military involvement in state-sponsored terrorism against Sahel countries and accused France of arming and training illegal armed groups there.

## Related coverage

- [Russia protests Japan PM’s comments after Putin’s Kuril visit](https://mins.news/en/item/25076) — Al Jazeera, 2026-08-18
- [Moscow lashes out at Ukraine's allies](https://mins.news/en/video/22711) — DW News, 2026-08-15
