Ukraine's parliament has adopted a resolution recognizing Japan's claim to Russian-held islands it calls the Northern Territories.

The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.

On Friday, the Ukrainian parliament passed a resolution supporting Japan's position on the islands. It urges the international community to take all possible measures for the legal registration of the status of Japan's Northern Territories.

It calls on the United Nations, the European Parliament and other international organizations for consistent support and actions to establish the Northern Territories as Japan's.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message on Friday that he has signed the relevant decree confirming Ukraine's respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Japan, including the Northern Territories, which are still under Russian occupation.

Zelenskyy said, "Russia has no right to these territories. Everyone in the world knows this well. And we must finally act."

Japan, along with Western nations, has imposed sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Russia has unilaterally suspended peace treaty talks with Japan in response to the sanctions.

It is believed that Ukraine wants to coordinate with Japan to step up pressure on Russia. Its own territory has been unilaterally annexed by Russia, including Crimea in the country's south.