Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today told his Japanese counterpart that Japan's recent actions over the disputed Southern Kuril islands which are also claimed by Japan, were unacceptable. He said the recent backdrop was attributed to a number of unacceptable actions by Japan including the Northern Territories Day. Lavrov expressed the hope both leaders would meet in a more favorable backdrop than the one emerged in recent days. During their over two-hour meeting, Lavrov described Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara's current visit to Moscow as timely but he had hoped the visit could take place in a more favorable political environment. Russia and Japan have long been at odds over the sovereignty of the four Pacific islands, which are called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia.