Russia warns South Korea over possible role in NATO arms initiative for Ukraine

Russia is closely monitoring South Korea over its potential involvement in a NATO-backed initiative to procure US weapons for Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Speaking at a briefing, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow was following Seoul’s plans regarding the NATO initiative known as the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). She added that Russia expected South Korea to maintain a restrained approach, in line with its previous statements about not supplying lethal weapons to what she referred to as the “Kyiv regime," Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

Zakharova also said Russia’s position on the matter had been conveyed to Seoul through diplomatic channels.

In late February, Yonhap News Agency reported that the South Korean government was considering various ways to support Ukraine. At the time, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said consultations were ongoing with North Atlantic Treaty Organization on possible measures.

Yonhap, citing a diplomatic source, also reported that Seoul was weighing participation in the PURL mechanism. Commenting on those reports earlier, Zakharova warned that Russia could respond with countermeasures, including what she described as asymmetric steps.

The PURL initiative was launched on July 14 by US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The mechanism envisions the purchase of weapons for Ukraine from US stockpiles, financed by European countries and Canada.

By Sabina Mammadli