🎙 President of Russia – Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin took part in the final stage of the Russian Pacific Fleet drills (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, August 12, 2026)
💬 Vladimir Putin: Unfortunately, the conflict potential in the Asia-Pacific region is growing.
NATO is pushing into the region, new military-political blocs are being formed, and new weapons systems that pose threats to our country are being deployed or planned for deployment here.
Tensions are also being stoked in the neighbouring Arctic region, including over the use of the Northern Sea Route.
Russia has always advocated cooperation in the Arctic and once again confirms its readiness to work together and make use of the advantages offered by the Northern Sea Route – naturally, within the framework of existing international maritime law.
Those countries that want to work with us and show an interest in this are, first and foremost, our friends – China, India and other states.
***
The situation in the Asia-Pacific region is complicated, and there are plenty of problems.
We would also like to understand the position of Japan, our neighbour – a country that, under the pretext of the events in Ukraine and without looking into the causes of the conflict, imposed sanctions on Russia that were in no way provoked by us.
☝️ We do not threaten Japan. We have absolutely no claims against it.
On the contrary, it is Japan that has territorial claims against our country – I am referring to the issue of the Kuril Islands.
However, the realities that emerged as a result of World War II are enshrined in international documents. Even so, Russia was prepared to seek a solution with a view to concluding a peace treaty with Japan.
Back in the mid-1950s, the Soviet Union signed a declaration with Japan that opened the way towards a peace treaty. Modern Russia accommodated the request of the Japanese Government and resumed – I repeat, at the request of the Japanese side – dialogue on ways to conclude a peace treaty.
At that time, we developed constructive relations with a number of Japanese leaders, including the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose life was tragically cut short and who did a great deal to bring Japan and Russia closer together and narrow the differences between our positions.
Russia stands ready – and I want to emphasise this – to cooperate with all its neighbours, including Japan and other countries in the region.
***
We see that the authorities of certain countries, in violation of international maritime law, are attempting to restrict the peaceful passage of vessels operated by our companies. More recently, they have even contemplated seizing our vessels and selling off property stolen from us.
❗️ This is outright piracy and plunder. If such plans begin to be implemented in practice, we will be forced to respond in kind.
And not necessarily in the waters where raids on our ships and vessels are being planned, but wherever we ourselves deem it necessary and appropriate – anywhere, including within the Pacific Fleet’s area of responsibility.
Russia is strengthening its security both as a whole and in individual regions. At the same time, we are always ready to seek mutually acceptable compromises with all our neighbours and partners.
And we are prepared to do so on the basis of due regard for each other’s interests.
Read in full
💬 Vladimir Putin: Unfortunately, the conflict potential in the Asia-Pacific region is growing.
NATO is pushing into the region, new military-political blocs are being formed, and new weapons systems that pose threats to our country are being deployed or planned for deployment here.
Tensions are also being stoked in the neighbouring Arctic region, including over the use of the Northern Sea Route.
Russia has always advocated cooperation in the Arctic and once again confirms its readiness to work together and make use of the advantages offered by the Northern Sea Route – naturally, within the framework of existing international maritime law.
Those countries that want to work with us and show an interest in this are, first and foremost, our friends – China, India and other states.
***
The situation in the Asia-Pacific region is complicated, and there are plenty of problems.
We would also like to understand the position of Japan, our neighbour – a country that, under the pretext of the events in Ukraine and without looking into the causes of the conflict, imposed sanctions on Russia that were in no way provoked by us.
☝️ We do not threaten Japan. We have absolutely no claims against it.
On the contrary, it is Japan that has territorial claims against our country – I am referring to the issue of the Kuril Islands.
However, the realities that emerged as a result of World War II are enshrined in international documents. Even so, Russia was prepared to seek a solution with a view to concluding a peace treaty with Japan.
Back in the mid-1950s, the Soviet Union signed a declaration with Japan that opened the way towards a peace treaty. Modern Russia accommodated the request of the Japanese Government and resumed – I repeat, at the request of the Japanese side – dialogue on ways to conclude a peace treaty.
At that time, we developed constructive relations with a number of Japanese leaders, including the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose life was tragically cut short and who did a great deal to bring Japan and Russia closer together and narrow the differences between our positions.
Russia stands ready – and I want to emphasise this – to cooperate with all its neighbours, including Japan and other countries in the region.
***
We see that the authorities of certain countries, in violation of international maritime law, are attempting to restrict the peaceful passage of vessels operated by our companies. More recently, they have even contemplated seizing our vessels and selling off property stolen from us.
❗️ This is outright piracy and plunder. If such plans begin to be implemented in practice, we will be forced to respond in kind.
And not necessarily in the waters where raids on our ships and vessels are being planned, but wherever we ourselves deem it necessary and appropriate – anywhere, including within the Pacific Fleet’s area of responsibility.
Russia is strengthening its security both as a whole and in individual regions. At the same time, we are always ready to seek mutually acceptable compromises with all our neighbours and partners.
And we are prepared to do so on the basis of due regard for each other’s interests.
Read in full