Russian Foreign Ministry calls in German Ambassador, Lambsdorff.
In August 2025, the German ambassador to Moscow, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, found himself in the centre of a diplomatic row with Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned him to express their displeasure over statements perceived as questioning Russian sovereignty over the southern Kuril Islands.
The controversy revolves around the southern Kuril Islands, a territory claimed by Japan but currently administered by Russia. Russia asserts that its sovereignty over the islands is part of the post-World War II order, a status they claim is recognised by the United Nations.
The Russian Foreign Ministry's indignation stems from the fact that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. They view support for Japan's claims on these islands as undermining the historic settlement that followed the war.
Ambassador Lambsdorff, however, rejected Russia’s accusations, stating that the German embassy does not question Russia’s sovereignty. He also criticised Russia’s ongoing violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, drawing attention to the gravity of Russia’s military actions there in contrast to the diplomatic protest over the Kuril Islands visit.
The German side has denied violating Russian sovereignty and has criticised Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Ambassador Petra Sigmund, who made the controversial statements, has also rejected the accusations made by Moscow.
The issue forms part of a broader geopolitical tension involving historical territorial claims and modern conflicts. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a protest note to Germany, warning against questioning the results of World War II. They considered Petra Sigmund's statements as an open attack on the territorial integrity of Russia.
The Russian side reminded the German side that siding with Japan's territorial claims would be "particularly offensive" in the year marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The dispute serves as a reminder of the complex and delicate nature of international relations, where historical claims and modern conflicts often intertwine.
- The disagreement regarding the southern Kuril Islands, a subject deeply ingrained in the realms of war-and-conflicts and general-news, has escalated due to perceived German support for Japan's territorial claims.
- The ongoing dispute over the southern Kuril Islands, a territory at the intersection of politics and historical claims, has heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly as both Russia and Germany commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
