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GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST - Should Russia keep the disputed Kuril islands or return them to Japan?

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Al October 28, 2007, 13:32: The islands should not be ceded to Japan under any circumstances. As pointed out already, the US could use this as a springboard from which to militarily threaten Eurasian countries like Russia and China as they are already doing from Eastern Europe and former USSR states.

The potential negatives of handing over these islands by far outweigh the unlikely positives of "improved Japanese relations". Japan is still a US occupied nation and its economy, defense and future is tied to the US for the forseeable future. Also keep in mind that it was Western Capital and Technological knowhow which armed Japan for the 1905 war against Russia.

The same applies to Wrangel Island and other Arctic islands which certain parties in the US are trying to claim. These must be prevented from falling into the US's clutches.
Vlad October 28, 2007, 05:09: Russians must keep the Islands to show the Japanese and all countries of the world that messing with Russia has huge consequences. i.e. Russo-Japanese War.

The kicking out of the Japanese from and taking over of Kurils is the retribution.

Don't mess with Russia!
charles October 27, 2007, 18:05: russia should keep these islands because Japan is one of the biggest supporters of the US and its imperialistic foreign policy. if the Russians give them back, the US will interpret it as the weakness of the Russians.
this is the test of time for Russia to show its might: keep the islands and keep the US military out of Eastern Europe. We Africans look up to Russia.
Michael October 27, 2007, 01:12: Unfortunatley I know little of the historical or political argument of these islands. I am English but I like both Russians and Japanese people. But I think that Japan is an island nation and Russia is already the biggest country in the world spanning Europe and Asia. As we are talking about an island I think it should be Japanese as it is close to Japan. However when I research this history and learn more if I change my mind I will let you know.
Dee October 26, 2007, 23:10: THE ISLANDS SHOULD NOT BE RETURNED TO JAPAN. IT IS LIKELY IT MIGHT BE SOLD OR GIVEN TO THE AMERICANS AS THEIR MILITARY BASE. WHAT A NIGHTMARE IT WOULD BE FOR RUSSIA.
John October 25, 2007, 20:01: Sorry but i have no sympathy for Japan over these Islands that the Soviets captured at the end of WW11.Japan has never fully acknowledged the war crimes committed by it's army to both POW'S and civillians the only part of the war they wish to remember is the atom bombs that were dropped on their Cities.And as they see it the outrageous injustice that only "they" suffered.
Russia should keep every last gain of soil.As this is a direct link to WW11 Japan should be given... NOTHING.
Sevodnya_Net October 25, 2007, 11:35: The question as it is posed is rather misleading, as there isn't any prospect of the Kurils being "given back", so relax! RT certainly knows how to get them going!

Russians, for what it's worth, didn't fight for the Kuril Islands: they simply occupied them. A treaty was signed in 1951 between the Allies in which Japan ceded its claim to most of the islands, but the USSR didn't sign as the Allies didn't recognise that country's claim.

I also said that both sides had been unreasonable, as in a lot of border disputes, but that the offer of compromise being made by President Putin seemed reasonable and should be accepted by Japan.

Of course all sorts of "pinching" has gone on in history - that's why I said that it depends how far back in history you care to go.
sean October 25, 2007, 07:25: I think Russia should keep all their territory, no exceptions. The Russian Army fought for this land, and they deserve to keep what they died for. It is the best way to honour the men and women of the Russian Army who laid down their lives for Russia. This can be a symbol of Russian triumph over her enemies of the past, and a form of compensation. Not one step backwards!
Daryl October 25, 2007, 02:40: Under no circumstances should Russia give up one square inch of the territory of the Russian Federation.
Vic October 25, 2007, 02:39: In general countries do not give away their land. So for Russia it's much better to keep things as they are.

It should be a pragmatic decision. It's only worth doing anything when there is something to be gained. It's clear what there to be gained by Japan, but the real question is what will Russia gain from it? Only if benefits to Russia outweighs loses/costs, then it would makes sense to offer islands. I can easily come up with reasons why Russia (or Japan for that matter) deserves these islands, but in questions like that "fairness" makes no sense. It's way too subjective. It's all about objective and pragmatic cost and benefit analysis.

The right way to ask this question is this: is it worth selling these islands (or any other Russian territory) to Japan (or any other country). So far I have not heard anything of significant value that could be offered to Russia...
sam October 25, 2007, 02:03: Oh lets not talk who pinched what from whom
whole of the north america was pinched
whole of australia and NZ were pinched
we brits pinched lands thousands of miles away and still went to war over them ie falklands.
so everyone sticks to what they have now.
Its now Russian and am such it will remain.
Russia did fight the japanese after they finished with germany ie Battle of Manchuria and pushed japan out of manchutria and china.
As for the population of these island,they are all russian and few if any japanese.Dont think they would want to learn the japanese language.
Luther October 24, 2007, 21:08: It was the Japanese and the Germans that were attacking during WWII and yet today Western media and governments preach to their constituents and population that Russia is the evil one.

Germany was making lamp shades out of Jewish skin and Japan was in China doing unimaginable things to men, woman and children and yet America and the west fear Russia.

The Kuril Islands should stay with Russia FOREVER. Today, Western media and governments show contempt to their own WWII POW, MIA and veterans by aligning with Japan and Germany for one reason – resources and energy in particular. Russia was America’s partner during WWII and so many Russian and Americans died together to destroy the evil of Japan and Germany but all is forgotten when today America ignores history because they are obsessed with oil as we see in Iraq.

The US had convictions, credibility, transparency and maintained accountability decades ago but all has been diminished for America’s growth of suburbia, her SUV thirst, strip malls and super WalMarts and never ending imports of cheap junk.

Japan can’t return the lives of those they killed so they should give up on expecting the return of the Kuril, even if Russia has more energy reserves than Japan, Germany, UK, and the US combined.

Any child can see that this has nothing to do with a bunch of small islands; the west is really after Russia’s wealth using hegemony and imperialism because it is the US that can not get out of debt, deliver healthcare or find energy while using the same pure capitalism that turned the CIS around to recovery.
Sevodnya_Net October 24, 2007, 17:11: They could do worse than ask the Kuril Islanders what they want. Back at the end of WWII the Russians more or less sneaked in and pinched the islands when no one was looking, taking advantage of the general punitive air towards the nasty Japanase that understandably prevailed around that time. They hadn't really even been at war with the Japanese (so no reparations, I think, Shmel).
As for the other examples Cyrus mentions,
well, if there isn't an ancient Chinese proverb that says something along the lines of "The burglar with the biggest swag bag can be the most generous donor at the Charity Shop" then there should be as most of the territories in question have been pinched by Russia at one time or another (not Alaska, though, that was sold wasn't it?). Depends how far back in history you want to go in all these cases.
Anyway, I'm sure the two counties will come to an agreement, although probably not one that involves "giving the islands back"
sam October 24, 2007, 16:42: What is this? see what i can get from Russia week?
that is what russia got from WW2 as oppose to compensations so its theirs now.Next germany will want kaliningrad too.
As Cyrus said Russia is not demanding its historical lands back so why should others?Everyone sticks with what they have now and should give it a rest.
Shmel October 24, 2007, 14:35: I wonder whether Japan has paid Russia compensation after the WW2.If not then this is a good one whatever the turbulent history behind it.