俄罗斯外交部发言人扎哈罗娃13日对日本的抗议进行了强烈回应，称日方主张毫无意义、具有侮辱性且法律上站不住脚[1]。此前，普京于13日首次登上伊图鲁普岛（日本称择捉岛），随即引发日本政府的强烈反弹[1]。日本首相高市早苗对普京的此举表示"绝对无法接受"，称北方四岛是日本的"固有领土"[1]。日本外相茂木同日召见俄驻日大使，表达日方的严正立场[1]。
俄罗斯方面主张，南千岛群岛根据二战结果、同盟国相关协定和《联合国宪章》归属俄罗斯，是其不可分割的领土[1]。
Russia's Foreign Ministry has rejected Japan's objections to President Vladimir Putin's visit to Iturup Island, known to Japan as Etorofu Island, located in the Southern Kuril Islands.[1] Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed Japan's claims as meaningless, insulting, and legally untenable.[1]
Zakharova asserted that the Southern Kuril Islands constitute an inseparable part of Russian territory based on the outcomes of World War II, relevant agreements among Allied nations, and the United Nations Charter.[1] This statement came in response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takagi's strong protest against Putin's August 13 visit to the disputed archipelago, which she characterized as absolutely unacceptable.[1] On the same day, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitake Motegi summoned Russia's ambassador to Japan to lodge a formal complaint.[1] Takagi reiterated Japan's position that the Northern Four Islands, as Japan refers to the territory, are Japan's "inherent territory."[1]