The Russian Foreign Ministry is summoning Ambassador Lambsdorff from Moscow.
In a recent development, Russia has lodged a strong protest with Germany due to statements made by the German ambassador to Japan, Petra Sigmund, that questioned Russia's sovereignty over the Southern Kuril Islands. The Russian Foreign Ministry views these comments as supporting Japan’s territorial claims, which Russia considers revanchist interpretations of World War II outcomes.
The dispute over the Southern Kuril Islands, a disputed territory between Russia and Japan, has been a source of ongoing tensions. Russia asserts that sovereignty over these islands was legally established following the results of World War II through post-war agreements among the Allied powers. The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasizes that any doubt on this matter is an infringement on its territorial integrity.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a protest note to Germany, warning against questioning the results of World War II and not recognizing the Southern Kuril Islands as part of Russia. This diplomatic response comes after Ambassador Sigmund's visit to the Japanese city of Nemuro on the island of Hokkaido near the southern Kurils.
The German embassy in Moscow has rejected the accusation that Ambassador Lambsdorff's statements supposedly violated Russian sovereignty. However, it is important to note that Ambassador Lambsdorff has been repeatedly critical of Russia's actions in Ukraine. He has criticized Russia for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine on a daily basis with several hundred thousand soldiers.
This is not the first time the Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned Ambassador Lambsdorff. In the past, he was summoned to discuss "retaliatory measures" in response to alleged persecution of Russian journalists in Germany.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Russian sovereignty over the Southern Kuril Islands is undisputed and that this is a post-war order recognized by the United Nations. The Russian Federation Council member, Natalya Nikonorova, reaffirmed that the sovereignty over the Southern Kuril Islands is "beyond doubt," grounded in international law secured after World War II. She highlighted that the Soviet Union's military campaign at the war's end, coordinated with the Allies, led to the liberation and annexation of these territories.
The German side was reminded that siding with Japan's position over the Southern Kuril Islands would be "particularly insulting" in the year marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the defeat of militaristic Japan. The Russian Foreign Ministry considers any such action as a violation of the spirit of post-war reconciliation and a disregard for the sacrifices made by the Soviet Union during the war.
The Southern Kuril Islands remain a sensitive and unresolved issue between Russia and Japan, with both countries maintaining their respective positions. The ongoing dispute serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges in post-war territorial adjustments and the importance of upholding international law and respecting each other's territorial integrity.
[1] RIA Novosti [2] TASS [3] Interfax
[1] "The ongoing dispute over the Southern Kuril Islands, a post-war territorial issue not resolved between Russia and Japan, has deep roots in politically charged service news, including war-and-conflicts, and general news."
[2] "The Russian Foreign Ministry's protest note to Germany, a result of statements made by Ambassador Petra Sigmund, raises questions about Europe's stance on post-war outcomes, specifically in terms of Russia's sovereignty over the Southern Kuril Islands."
