Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced displeasure following Japan’s decision to aid Ukraine and South Korea’s imposition of sanctions against Moscow. The move by Japan to provide Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine led to warnings from the Russian foreign ministry, citing potential “grave consequences.” Tensions between Moscow and Tokyo have escalated since Russia deployed troops into Ukraine in February 2022.
Japan, aligning with Western allies, imposed extensive economic sanctions on Russia. Simultaneously, South Korea faced Russia’s ire for expanding its list of goods requiring special permission for export to Russia, a response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian foreign ministry criticized South Korea’s actions, labeling them as “an unfriendly move taken at Washington’s behest.” The ministry warned of potential retaliatory measures against South Korea and emphasized that these actions could have economic repercussions for South Korea.
South Korea recently added over 600 goods, including heavy construction equipment, rechargeable batteries, aeronautical components, and certain cars, to its export control list for Russia, citing concerns about potential military use.
The situation adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia, in recent developments, fired almost 50 Shahed drones at targets in Ukraine and shelled a train station in Kherson, resulting in casualties and power outages.
