Russian Companies in Talks With Japan, South Korea on Resuming Direct Flights, Diplomat Says

Russian companies are engaged in negotiations with counterparts in Japan and South Korea to resume direct air flights between the countries, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, as reported by the state news agency TASS.

Rudenko characterized the talks as "difficult and complex," TASS reported, without providing further detail on the specific issues under discussion or a timeline for their resolution.

The report did not specify which Russian companies are involved in the negotiations or identify their counterparts in Japan and South Korea.

Direct commercial flights between Russia and a number of countries, including Japan and South Korea, were suspended following the imposition of Western sanctions and airspace restrictions after Russia's actions in Ukraine, though TASS's report did not elaborate on the reasons for the current disruption in service.

TASS did not provide additional details on the venue or format of the reported negotiations, and no comment was immediately available from Japanese or South Korean officials or companies regarding the talks.