South Korea First to Lift Sanctions against Russia: Allow Export of Medical Equipment to Moscow

South Korea will lift sanctions on the export of medical equipment to Russia starting February 28, becoming the first country to ease trade restrictions since the imposition of Western sanctions.

According to South Korea’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Resources, the decision allows medical supplies to be exported to Russia, despite ongoing sanctions led by the European Union and the United States. South Korea, a long-standing U.S. ally, is unlikely to have taken this step without approval from Washington.

Several large South Korean companies are reportedly exploring a return to the Russian market. TelecomDaily reported that Samsung increased its marketing activities in Russia by a third compared to last year. Despite the absence of official deliveries, new Samsung products are released in Russia days before they appear in Europe or the United States, with advertisements managed through partners in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Meanwhile, the European Union continues to expand sanctions against Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the approval of the bloc’s 16th sanctions package, which targets Russia’s "shadow fleet" and restricts operations at certain banks, ports, and airports. The new sanctions also ban exports of PlayStation and Xbox consoles to Russia, citing concerns that their joysticks could be used to control drones.