# Russia reminds Japanese ambassador it paid huge price for Kurils — MFA

https://mins.news/en/item/25080

- TASS, 2026-08-18 11:44 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://tass.com/politics/2174619

> Russia summoned Japan’s ambassador after Tokyo protested Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said the Kuril Islands are Russian territory under national and international law, and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia’s people paid a huge price for them during World War II.

## Related coverage

- [Russia protests Japan PM’s comments after Putin’s Kuril visit](https://mins.news/en/item/25076) — Al Jazeera, 2026-08-18
- [What signals does Putin's visit to Iturup island send?](https://mins.news/en/item/24715) — CGTN, 2026-08-15
