Asia-Pacific

Russian president visits Kurile islands

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-11-01 08:48

Kunashiri Island, one of four islands known as the Southern Kuriles in Russia and Northern Territories in Japan, is seen in this photo taken March, 2007.[Photo/Agencies]

KUNASHIR, Kurile Islands - President Dmitry Medvedev landed in the Kurile Islands on Monday, the first Russian leader to visit one of the islands also claimed by Japan.

Medvedev's visit to Kunashir Island comes shortly before his trip to Japan for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in mid-November.

The Soviet Union occupied the four disputed islands at the end of World War II and the territorial row has weighed on relations between Tokyo and Moscow ever since, preventing the signing of a formal peace treaty.

Japan refers to the islands as its Northern Territories.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) speaks to officials of Russian kindergarten during his visit to Kunashiri Island, one of four island known as the Southern Kuriles in Russia and Northern Territories in Japan, is seen in this photo provided by a resident of Kunashiri Island and relased by Kyodo News, November 1, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied on Saturday that the proximity of Medvedev's two trips was politically charged, saying it was simply about convenience.

"The territory of the Russian Federation is the territory of the Russian Federation," he said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said last month that such a visit by Medvedev would "severely harm" relations.

Russia's foreign ministry responded that Japan's claim to the islands was a "dead-end".