Russia’s deputy foreign minister has expressed his “sincere hope” that North Korea will ease its COVID-19 border controls, stating that the restrictions are hindering bilateral trade and cooperation.

Andrey Rudenko made the remarks in a wide-ranging interview with Russian media, republished on the foreign ministry’s website earlier this month, after thanking North Korea for supporting the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

“At the same time, we have to admit that at present, due to the severe anti-epidemic restrictions that remain in the DPRK, the high potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries is far from being fully used,” Rudenko stated.