俄罗斯总统普京访问北方四岛（日本称）的举动引发日本强烈不满。俄罗斯总统府13日证实普京已访问择捉岛[1]，日本外相茂木敏充随即召见俄罗斯驻日大使诺茨德列夫提出抗议[1]。
中国驻日大使吴江浩与俄罗斯驻日大使诺茨德列夫在同日发表了联合署名文章，表示"铭记第二次世界大战历史、捍卫二战胜利成果，对中俄两国有着非比寻常的重要意义"[1]，这一表述实际上暗示了对俄罗斯北方四岛主权主张的支持。俄罗斯大使馆随后声明指出，"南千岛群岛是俄罗斯不可分割的一部分，二战结束时基于国际依据并入俄罗斯"[1]。
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the disputed Northern Territories (known as the Southern Kuril Islands in Russia) prompted swift diplomatic reactions on August 13. [1] Russia's presidential office confirmed that Putin had visited Etorofu Island, one of the four disputed territories. [1] In response, Japan's Foreign Minister Mitsutaka Motegi summoned the Russian ambassador to lodge a formal protest. [1]
China's position on the dispute became apparent the same day when Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao and Russian Ambassador Nortsev jointly published a signed article emphasizing the importance of honoring World War II history and preserving the outcomes of the war. [1] The article stated that "recording the history of World War II and safeguarding the fruits of victory in World War II hold exceptional significance for China and Russia." [1] Russia's embassy in Japan separately issued a statement asserting that "the Southern Kuril Islands are an inseparable part of Russia and were incorporated into Russia based on international legal grounds when World War II ended." [1] Through their joint publication, China effectively signaled support for Russia's sovereignty claims over the contested islands. [1]