RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin warned South Korea against supplying Ukraine with weapons after his visit to North Korea sparked criticisms from Seoul and Washington.
South Korea’s presidential office condemned a deal signed by Russia and North Korea wherein both leaders vowed mutual defense assistance in the event of war.
The presidential office said the agreement posed a threat to the security of the East Asian nation and warned that it would negatively affect Seoul’s relations with Moscow.
South Korea also summoned Russia’s ambassador to the country following Putin’s historic visit to Pyongyang which took place for the first time in 24 years.
In response, the presidential office said the country is considering sending arms to Ukraine, adding that the volume of weapons that will be delivered to Ukraine will be based on Russia’s position toward North Korea.
South Korea’s allies Japan and the United States also voiced concern about the defense pact.
The deal which marked a major upgrade of bilateral relations between Moscow and Pyongyang also covered security, trade, investment, cultural, and humanitarian ties.
Meanwhile, Putin said his country might supply weapons to North Korea in what would be a mirror response to the West arming Ukraine with weapons to be used against Russia.
The agreement was the most significant deal signed by North Korea and Russia since the end of the Cold War in the wake of an ongoing campaign by the U.S. and the West to isolate Russia.
