Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov confirmed on August 17 when commenting on the Japanese side's statement regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's landing on the disputed islands between Russia and Japan, that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently summoned Japan's ambassador to Russia, Muto Akira, but the Japanese Embassy in Russia responded on the grounds that Muto was “not in Moscow” or “unwell,” saying that Muto could not accept the summons.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov confirmed on August 17 when commenting on the Japanese side's statement regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's landing on the disputed islands between Russia and Japan, that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently summoned Japan's ambassador to Russia, Muto Akira, but the Japanese Embassy in Russia responded on the grounds that Muto was “not in Moscow” or “unwell,” saying that Muto could not accept the summons.