Putin's Kuril Islands Gambit: A Shot Across Japan's Bow The Russian president's visit to the disputed Kuril Islands is a deliberate attempt to reassert Moscow's claim over these strategic islands in the Pacific Ocean.
This development has sent shockwaves across the region and beyond, with many wondering what exactly this move entails for regional diplomacy.
Historical Context of the Kuril Islands Dispute The dispute over the Kuril Islands dates back to World War II.