The Russian Foreign Ministry summons Ambassador Lambsdorff to its offices in Moscow.
German Ambassador Summoned Over Kuril Islands Dispute
Tensions between Russia and Germany escalated in August 2025, when the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador to Moscow, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, over statements made by his counterpart in Japan. The Russian ministry accused Ambassador Petra Sigmund of questioning Russia's sovereignty over the southern Kuril Islands.
The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed disapproval of Germany's perceived support of Japan's claims over the islands, which Russia claims and asserts sovereignty over, referencing the United Nations-recognized post-war order. The ministry considered Germany's actions as an attack on Russia's territorial integrity.
Moscow specifically cited a visit by Ambassador Sigmund and another German diplomat to the Japanese city of Nemuro on Hokkaido island near the southern Kurils as the triggering event for the protest. The Russian ministry found the action particularly mocking, as 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
In response, Ambassador Lambsdorff rejected Russia’s accusations and criticized Russia for violating Ukraine's sovereignty in an ongoing and much more serious manner with its military actions. He highlighted Russia’s revisionism and violations of international law, contrasting those with Germany’s position.
It is important to note that the southern Kuril Islands are a disputed territory between Russia and Japan. The islands were occupied by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II, but Japan claims them based on the Treaty of Saint Petersburg signed in 1855, which did not include any provisions for the transfer of sovereignty in the event of war.
The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously summoned Ambassador Lambsdorff to inform him about "retaliatory measures" in response to the alleged persecution of Russian journalists in Germany.
The summons came as tensions related to Russia's territorial claims and its military invasion of Ukraine continue to escalate. Ambassador Sigmund had repeatedly criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine in her statements.
The German side was reminded that supporting Japan's territorial claims without legal basis would be particularly offensive in the year marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the defeat of militaristic Japan. The Russian ministry urged Germany to respect the post-war order and refrain from actions that could be interpreted as questioning Russia's sovereignty over the southern Kuril Islands.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry voiced concern over Germany's perceived support of Japan's claims over the disputed southern Kuril Islands, a topic frequently discussed in the realm of general news and war-and-conflicts.
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics surrounding Russia's territorial claims, particularly the southern Kuril Islands dispute, the Russian Foreign Ministry respectfully urged Germany to uphold the post-war order and refrain from actions that might challenge Russia's sovereignty over the disputed territory.
