Vladimir Putin, visiting disputed Kuril island, says "What lovely weather you have there"

Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit as leader to the disputed Kuril island of Iturup (called Etorofu in Japan) on Thursday, part of a Far East tour that included watching Pacific Fleet drills. During the stop he toured a school, hospital and fish-processing plant and made a casual weather remark while meeting residents. Japan insists the island chain is its territory and says a peace treaty ending World War II can be signed only after the islands’ return. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the trip unacceptable and wounding to Japanese sentiment, and Tokyo summoned its ambassador to protest. Russia’s embassy rejected the protest, saying the islands are legally Russian and domestic travel needs no foreign approval. The visit came days before Japan’s war-end anniversary.