Russia's deputy FM warns of 'retaliatory measures' in event of Seoul arms aid to Kiev

▲ This undated photo, carried by Russia's Tass news agency, shows Moscow's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Russian diplomat-S Korea

Russia's deputy FM warns of 'retaliatory measures' in event of Seoul arms aid to Kiev

SEOUL, March 28 (Yonhap) -- Russia's deputy foreign minister has said Moscow will have to resort to "retaliatory measures" in the event South Korea provides lethal weapons to Ukraine, a Russian media report showed Saturday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko made the remarks in an interview with Russia's Tass news agency, as he mentioned an initiative to supply Ukraine with U.S. weapons, known as the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL).

"We have consistently conveyed to the South Korean side through various channels Russia's principled position on the inadmissibility of the participation of South Korea in the direct and indirect supplies of lethal weapons to the Kiev regime, including as part of the PURL initiative," Rudenko was quoted as saying.

"Otherwise, the bilateral relations between Russia and South Korea may be seriously affected, and we will be forced to resort to retaliatory measures. I hope that we won't be forced to resort to such steps," he said.

The Russian diplomat's remarks came about a month after its foreign ministry spokesperson also warned of retaliation against South Korea in the event the country joins the PURL framework, in response to a report that Seoul is considering joining it.

South Korea has only provided nonlethal and other humanitarian support to Ukraine since the war with Russia began in 2022.

Meanwhile, Rudenko was also quoted in the interview as saying his country will resort to "adequate countermeasures" should Japan pose a threat to Russia's Far East borders.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved