Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: "Waiting for South Korea's Signal to Normalize Korea-Russia Relations"

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko stated on the 17th (local time) regarding the normalization of Korea-Russia relations that "we are waiting for a signal from the Korean side."

According to the Russian state-run TASS news agency on the same day, Deputy Minister Rudenko said, "Unfortunately, Korea has so far preferred to communicate with Russia through sanctions."

Andrey Rudenko, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister (right) [Image source=TASS Yonhap News]

Deputy Minister Rudenko added, "Nevertheless, we consider Korea an important participant in resolving the Korean Peninsula issue," and "partners in Seoul need to reconsider how to improve relations with Russia."

Since Russia's 'special military operation' in Ukraine in February 2022, Korea-Russia relations have been strained due to Western-led sanctions against Russia, Korea's support for Ukraine, and the close ties between North Korea and Russia amid changes in the international situation.

Recently, tensions between the two countries escalated over Korea's new export restrictions against Russia. On the 11th, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, pointed out that "this clearly does not help maintain bilateral relations."

A Korean Foreign Ministry official responded, "The expansion of export control items against Russia is part of the international community's various efforts to contribute to ending the war in Ukraine and achieving a peaceful recovery," adding, "It is a legitimate measure to respond to security threats such as North Korea-Russia cooperation." The official also added, "We remind that managing Korea-Russia relations requires efforts not only from us but also from the Russian side."