Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said that if aviation authorities and companies are discussing direct flights with South Korea, it is too early to speak of results, leaving their restoration uncertain.
Speaking at a Moscow briefing on Oct. 20, Rudenko did not confirm that bilateral flight talks were under way. He described any such discussions as involving aviation authorities and companies from both countries.
Rudenko said Moscow would welcome practical steps to improve relations if Seoul took them. He blamed South Korea’s participation in sanctions against Russia for the deterioration in ties and said Moscow had not initiated it.
He said the war in Ukraine did not determine how Russia dealt with other countries. Rudenko claimed South Korean authorities had linked full normalization to a change in the geopolitical situation. He interpreted that phrase as referring to the end of the war.
Rudenko announced no timetable or result for a possible return of direct flights.
