According to Russian media such as today's Russian TV (RT) on the 7th, Ukrainian President Zelensky signed a decree on Friday to identify South Kuril Islands (called "the four northern islands" in Japan) as "Japanese territory occupied by Russia." This decree made Ukraine recognize that Zhajima, Guohoudao , Setan Island and Chiwu Island are owned by Japan.
Ukrainian President Zelensky Source: Associated Press
Zelensky said in a video speech on Friday: "A important decision was made today. This is a fair, impeccable and historic decision at the legal level. Ukraine reiterates respect for Japan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the northern territory still occupied by Russia." He also vowed to let Ukraine regain land including Crimea .
Also on Friday, Ukraine's Supreme Rada passed a resolution supporting Japan's position on the South Kuril Islands issue. Ukrainian Supreme Lada also proposed that international organizations also support the "resolving of Japan's northern territorial status."
RT reported that Japan had previously condemned Russia's special military operations in Ukraine and imposed economic sanctions on Russia . In March this year, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio called the Southern Kuril Islands Japan's "inherent territory." Since then, Russia has stopped fulfilling an agreement signed with Japan on visa-free travel of Japanese indigenous people to the Southern Kuril Islands, withdrew from dialogue with Japan on joint economic activities in the Southern Kuril Islands, and suspended negotiations aimed at formally ending the territorial dispute.
On October 7, Japan announced additional sanctions against 81 individuals and 9 entities in Russia. Dmitry Belik, a member of the Russian State Duma International Affairs Committee, commented on this: "Japan follows the anti-Russian route formulated by the United States and is one of the G7 countries that are obedient and eager to comply with Washington's instructions. By imposing new sanctions, Japan has proved time and time again that it is an unfriendly country (to Russia)." He said that Japan has not given up on sanctions on Russia, and said that it needs to sign a peace treaty with Russia, "this is ridiculous in the current situation."
"Japanese politicians futilely hope that they can follow an anti-Russian line and aid Ukraine while looking forward to some negotiations (with Russia). Tokyo officials are far from independent in their decision-making, so there is no need to expect any constructiveness," Belik said. He also pointed out that Japan has "doed a lot of work" in undermining bilateral relations with Russia and continues to do so with "the enviable determination that first harms its own economy."
Previously, on October 3, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the Japanese government does not intend to deviate from its policy of resolving territorial issues and concluding peace treaties in relations with Russia. Russian President's press secretary and spokesman for Kyrgyzstan Peskov said that under the current conditions, it is impossible to conduct peaceful negotiations with Japan. He stressed that Russian officials have identified Japan as an "unfriendly country."
According to previous reports from Russian media, Russia/Soviet and Japan have been holding negotiations since the middle of the last century to sign a peace treaty based on the results of World War II , but it has not been signed. The main obstacle is the sovereignty issue of the Southern Kuril Islands. Japan claims sovereignty over the islands based on the bilateral trade border treaty signed by Russia and Japan in 1855; Russia pointed out that according to the results of World War II, the Southern Kuril Islands have become part of Soviet territory, and Russia has indisputable sovereignty over it.
In 1956, the Soviet Union and Japan signed a joint statement, and the Soviet Union agreed to consider the possibility of handing over Chimai Island and Setan Island to Japan after signing the peace treaty. However, the subsequent negotiations ended without success. Russia has repeatedly stressed that Japan must first recognize the consequences of World War II, including Russia's sovereignty over the Southern Kuril Islands. (Editor: HHJ)
