Sergey Lavrov says Japan "should conduct themselves in the host country" over Kuril Islands visit

Russia summoned Japan’s ambassador in Moscow after Tokyo protested President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Islands, a territory both countries claim. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday that Japanese officials had overstepped in criticizing the trip, and that Ambassador Akira Muto had been called in. Lavrov described the summons as addressing Japanese leadership conduct and the standard of behavior expected of ambassadors in their host country. Muto was initially reported unavailable or ill, but Russia’s Foreign Ministry later said he would appear Tuesday. The dispute deepens already strained relations, with Japan joining Western sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine.