Russian President Visits Kuril Islands

Earlier this week Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited the disputed Kuril Islands, which have been claimed by both Japan and Russia (then the USSR) since the end of World War II. The dispute over the islands has prevented the Russia and Japan from formally ending World War II. President Medvedev was the first Russian leader to visit the islands. The Russian show of sovereignty of the islands upset Japan, causing the Japanese to lodge a formal protest with the Russian envoy.

Join Me on Facebook | Follow Me on Twitter @mrgeog