Ukraine's acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has commented on Vladimir Putin's visit to Iturup, known in Japan as Etorofu, describing Russia's control of the island as an occupation of Japanese territory and calling on international partners to further isolate and increase pressure on Russia.

The four southernmost islands of the chain also are claimed by Japan, which calls them the Northern Territories.

A Iturup. Takaichi: “Visita inaccettabile”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the disputed Kuril Islands for the first time, travelling to Iturup as Moscow's relations with Japan remain deeply strained over…

Putin visits Etorofu, known in Russia as Iturup, that Tokyo claims as its own territory