James Meyers of the OAN
8:37 am – Friday, June 21, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned South Korea on Friday that it would be making a “very big mistake” if it arms Ukraine in its war against Russia.
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Putin’s comments come after Seoul said it was considering arming Ukraine, in response to a new pact between Russia and North Korea that stated they would defend each other in case of “aggression” against either country.
“If this happens, then we will also make appropriate decisions that the current leaders of South Korea would not like,” Putin said during his state visit to Vietnam on Thursday, which immediately followed the lavish visit to Pyongyang. “We reserve our right to supply weapons to other regions of the world,” he added.
Putin also warned that Russia is willing to arm North Korea if the United States and its allies continue to supply weapons to Ukraine.
“Those who supply these weapons believe that they are not at war with us. I said, even in Pyongyang, that we then reserve the right to supply weapons to other regions of the world,” Putin said.
Additionally, Seoul spoke out on Friday about Russian ambassador Georgy Zinoviev, and South Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement demanding that “Russia immediately stop military cooperation with North Korea.”
South Korea also claimed that Putin’s support threatens the country’s security and violates UN Security Council resolutions. “South Korea will resolutely respond to threats against South Korea’s national security,” the statement said.
In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that “attempted threats and blackmail against Russia are unacceptable” and that the agreement was bilateral and not directed at third countries.
Meanwhile, South Korea has provided humanitarian aid and military equipment to Ukraine, but has so far refused to provide lethal weapons. South Korea has an official policy of not arming countries at war.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said it should “be of concern to any country concerned about maintaining peace and stability in the region.”
During the visit between both sides, the North Korean leader also promised “full support” for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There is growing evidence that Russia has already been deploying North Korean missiles in Ukraine.
Japan also said it was “gravely concerned that President Putin did not rule out military technology cooperation with North Korea,” Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said, adding that the deal was “unacceptable.”
Technically, both Koreas are still at war and maintain a heavily guarded border, where tensions have risen further.
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