Russia warns Seoul again: military aid to Ukraine would harm bilateral ties

Russia has again warned South Korea against providing military assistance to Ukraine.

Russian state news agency Tass published an interview Friday (local time) with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, in which he said Moscow had "repeatedly conveyed through diplomatic channels its principled position that South Korean military support for Kyiv would inevitably have a negative impact on South Korea-Russia relations."

"We expect South Korea to continue maintaining this position," Rudenko added. Tass said the remarks were a response to media reports that South Korea had declined Ukraine's requests for air defense support — signaling Moscow's desire for Seoul to refrain from supplying weapons as it has done so far.

Rudenko also expressed confidence in South Korean public opinion, saying he was certain "there are many people in South Korea who support the normalization of political dialogue with Russia and the restoration of trade and economic cooperation."

He attached conditions to any improvement in relations, however, arguing it would be "impossible unless the South Korean authorities abandon their participation in the West's sanctions policy against Russia." Seoul would need to withdraw from anti-Russia sanctions before any bilateral recovery could take place, he made clear.

The comments came as attention focuses on South Korea's stance on supporting Ukraine. Reports have also emerged that two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces are set to travel to South Korea.

The South Korean government has said it will continue its support for Ukraine. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in New York on Wednesday and said Seoul would continue providing the assistance the Ukrainian people need.

Meanwhile, South Korea has maintained a policy of not sending lethal weapons to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022, instead continuing to provide non-military support in areas such as energy, infrastructure, healthcare and education.