Sergey Lavrov: "the conduct of the Japanese leadership"

Russia summoned Japan’s ambassador on Monday after Tokyo complained about President Vladimir Putin’s trip to the Kuril Islands, a disputed chain seized by the Soviet Union in 1945 and still claimed by Japan. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Japanese objections to Putin’s visit had crossed acceptable limits and that the summons addressed Tokyo’s official behavior. He noted Japan initially said Ambassador Akira Muto was unavailable, though a ministry spokeswoman later said Muto would come on Tuesday. Japan had earlier summoned Russia’s ambassador in protest. Bilateral ties have soured since the full-scale Ukraine conflict began in 2022, with Japan imposing sanctions on Russia and aiding Kyiv.