At a cabinet meeting earlier this week, Medvedev said that the project, which initiated a few years ago, has now entered an active phase.
According to him, the project is being implemented as part of a targeted federal program, aimed at restoring "both the civilian and defense infrastructure of the Kurils."
He mentioned "the Armed Forces, and the Defense Ministry of Russia," which Medvedev said "are dealing not only with the military but also with the civilian component" on the Kuril Islands.
"It is necessary to join efforts, all the more so as the islands performed and will continue performing not only the usual function but also the function of protecting our frontiers. That is why special attention is paid to the presence of the Russian Armed Forces there," he said.
In addition to border protection, the government initiative is aimed at improving the living conditions on the islands and attracting people to the region, according to Medvedev.
He spoke just a few weeks after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the acceleration of efforts to build up the Kuril Islands’ social development.
Medvedev, for his part, promised to visit the Kuril Islands in the near future, urging other Russian government officials to follow suit.
The National Interest predicted that Medvedev's announcement may further deteriorate relations between Russia and Japan. The magazine believes that Russia is embarking on reviving the Kurils in response to the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's recent visit to Ukraine, where he signaled his support to President Petro Poroshenko.
Russia has repeatedly offered to return Tokyo two minor islands, but Japan has claimed the entire territory. Currently, the dispute between the countries remains unresolved.
