The Russian government said it is in talks to resume direct flights with Korea.
According to the Russian state-run RIA Novosti news agency, Andrei Rudenko, Russia's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with a local outlet on the 27th (local time), "Contacts are taking place between the airlines of the two countries," adding, "Our corporations are in ongoing consultations, and much depends on the authorities' decision. We hope for a positive outcome."
This is the first time since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine that Russia has officially mentioned its intention to resume direct flights with Korea. At the time, Russian flights were grounded from European sanctions, and routes to Korea were also suspended. The remarks suggest the possibility of restoration for the first time in about three and a half years.
Vice Minister Rudenko did not specify the stage of negotiations or a timeline for resumption. However, in June last year, Ambassador to Korea Georgy Zinoviev said he "supports restoring direct routes to revive cultural, humanitarian and people-to-people exchanges," suggesting that working-level diplomatic and aviation consultations are proceeding in parallel.
RIA Novosti reported that while the talks are underway, Russia remains on Korea's sanctions list and Korea's restrictions on exports to Russia amount to 1,402 items. The agency added that most intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms, including the suspension of direct flights and mutual settlement restrictions between the two countries, remain largely halted.