The German embassy in Russia on Monday received a strong protest regarding the statements made by the German ambassador to Japan, Petra Sigmund, on July 25, which cast doubt on Russia's sovereignty and jurisdiction over the southern Kuril Islands and thus constitute a clear encroachment on Russia's territorial integrity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Russia noted in a statement.

The Russian side emphasized that the southern Kuril Islands were legally transferred to Russia as a result of World War II, and Russia's sovereignty over them is indisputable.

The German side was told that solidarity with Japan’s legally null and void territorial claims, which have their roots in a revanchist interpretation of the results of World War II, is especially sacrilegious in the year when progressive humanity celebrates the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, the defeat of Nazi Germany and its satellites, belligerent Japan, and the end of World War II, added the Russian MFA.