Wikimedia Commons <\/p>\n
A map showing the de-facto Kuril Island border over time between Japan and Russia. The currently disputed islands fall between the lines marked 1945 and 1855. <\/p>\n
During a visit to the Far East, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev Tuesday traveled to Kunashir island, inflaming a long-standing territorial dispute with Japan over the Kuril Islands. <\/p>\n
Medvedev took anunflinching tone before the visit, saying that \"the practice ofvisiting theislands bythe Russian leadership will continue,\" RIA-Novosti reported. <\/p>\n
Theislands, surrounded byrich fishing grounds believed tohave oil, natural gas andmineral deposits, were seized bySoviet troops inthe closing days ofWorld War II, but Japan says they are part ofits territory. <\/p>\n
\"I would like toemphasize that I consider it very important that members ofthe government visit theKurils. This is animportant part ofthe Sakhalin region andsimply animportant part ofour Russian lands,\" Medvedev said. <\/p>\n
It has been earlier reported that theprime minister's planned trip tothe Kuril Islands would be postponed due toweather conditions, but conditions improved enough toallow thegovernment delegation tofly tothe island. <\/p>\n
\"Life inSakhalin is such that it changes very quickly. Andit's alesson fora lot ofpeople who are here with me today because I just said that we would not go, but now we have theopportunity tovisit theKurils. I think this is avery important part ofour program,\" Medvedev said. <\/p>\n
Medvedev's visit tofar eastern regions will last until Thursday. <\/p>\n
InNovember 2010 Dmitry Medvedev became thefirst Russian president tovisit theislands, causing astrong outcry fromthe Japanese government. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
See the original post: <\/p>\n
Medvedev to Visit Disputed Kuril Islands<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Wikimedia Commons A map showing the de-facto Kuril Island border over time between Japan and Russia. The currently disputed islands fall between the lines marked 1945 and 1855. During a visit to the Far East, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev Tuesday traveled to Kunashir island, inflaming a long-standing territorial dispute with Japan over the Kuril Islands Continue reading