Putin warns South Korea against arming Ukraine

• Russia’s President has warned South Korea against sending arms to Ukraine
• South Korea had indicated it might start sending weapons in response to a new pact between Russia and North Korea to support each other against perceived aggression
• Moscow would make decisions that “are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea”
• Putin also threatened to arm North Korea if the US and its allies continue to supply weapons to Ukraine

Putin warns South Korea against arming Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to South Korea, saying it would be making “a big mistake” if it decides to arm Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. This comes after South Korea indicated it might consider such action in response to a new pact between Russia and North Korea to support each other against perceived aggression.

Putin cautioned that Moscow would make decisions that “are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea” if Seoul supplies arms to Kyiv. He made these comments in Vietnam following a high-profile visit to North Korea, where he signed a mutual defence agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Putin also threatened to arm North Korea if the US and its allies continue to supply weapons to Ukraine. He stated, “Those who supply these weapons believe that they are not at war with us… we then reserve the right to supply weapons to other regions of the world.”

South Korea’s response was swift. The presidential office said it would consider “various options” regarding arms support to Ukraine, based on Russia’s actions. South Korea also summoned the Russian ambassador to protest the pact with North Korea and demanded an end to their military cooperation.

While South Korea has provided humanitarian aid and non-lethal military equipment to Ukraine, it has refrained from sending lethal weapons due to its policy of not arming countries in conflict. However, the increasing military collaboration between Russia and North Korea is causing some in Ukraine to hope that South Korea will reconsider this stance.