Putin's first trip to the Pacific island chain claimed by Japan draws a protest from Tokyo
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday made his first visit to the Kuril Islands, a Moscow-controlled Pacific archipelago that also is claimed by Japan, which voiced a diplomatic protest over the trip.
TL;DR
- Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands.
- This was Putin's first visit to the islands.
- Japan also claims the Kuril Islands.
- Japan lodged a diplomatic protest over the visit.