The press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov reacted to the protest of the Japanese government because of the upcoming shootings in the Kuril Islands. In an interview with journalists, the Kremlin representative noted that the exercises of the Russian armed forces on the territory of the Russian Federation should not be a matter of concern for neighbors.
"We continue the process of military construction, army training, maneuvers and exercises throughout the geography of the Russian Federation, including the Far East. These exercises should not be a matter of concern for our neighbors," he stressed.
Earlier on Monday, February 7, the Secretary General of the Japanese Cabinet of Ministers, Hirokazu Matsuno, announced that a protest was announced to Russia through diplomatic channels. He stressed that the strengthening of Russia's military presence in the Kuril Islands is "unacceptable." The Japanese Coast Guard has issued a warning about the possible danger of maritime navigation in the designated area.
Following the results of the Second World War, Russia and Japan did not sign a peace treaty. The main problem in reaching agreements is Tokyo's claims to the Southern Kuriles. Japan still calls the islands of Kunashir, Iturup and a number of territories of the Lesser Kuril Ridge its northern territories, although after the Second World War they passed to the USSR.
The leaders of Russia and Japan continue to negotiate on the Kuril issue. Thus, on October 15, 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida confirmed their agreement to continue the dialogue on the peace treaty. In September, the Russian leader called the absence of a peace treaty with Japan nonsense. At the same time, he recalled the amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, where it is noted that the Southern Kuriles are forever part of Russia.
