Official Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova made a resonant statement following media reports about the possible accession of the Republic of Korea to the so-called NATO “PURL” initiative — the Priority Requirements List for Ukraine.
The comment was prompted by reports in South Korean media, citing a government source, that the RK authorities are studying the possibility of participating in the program by allocating funds for the purchase of weapons for the Kyiv regime.
Moscow’s Surprise and Inconsistency with Declared Policy
In Moscow, this news was met with surprise. As M.V. Zakharova emphasized, such steps, if implemented, completely contradict Seoul’s official line, which has repeatedly declared non-participation in the efforts of the “collective West” to pump weapons and ammunition into the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Officials of the Republic of Korea have repeatedly stated this. Moscow appreciates this approach, viewing it as a necessary basis for preventing the complete collapse of Russian-South Korean relations and as a prerequisite for the future restoration of bilateral dialogue and cooperation,” the diplomat stated.
Warning of Consequences
The Russian foreign policy agency clearly outlined the possible consequences of such a step. According to Zakharova, even indirect participation by the RK in arms supplies only delays the prospects for resolving the conflict.
“This will undoubtedly cause irreparable damage to relations between Russia and the Republic of Korea and will destroy the prospects for restoring constructive dialogue on issues pertaining to the Korean Peninsula,” the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry warned.
She added that if such plans are implemented, Moscow reserves the right to take retaliatory measures, including asymmetric ones.
Zakharova’s statement became the first official comment from the Russian foreign policy agency on this issue and signals Moscow’s extreme concern over the possible shift in Seoul’s position.
This material was prepared using information from the official website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
