Russia warned South Korea it would take retaliatory measures if Seoul joins NATO's weapons support program for Ukraine.
TASS reported on the 21st that Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded to questions about South Korea's possible participation in the Priority Ukraine Resources List (PURL), stating, "In this case, we will have no choice but to exercise our right to take retaliatory measures, including asymmetric measures."
PURL is NATO's weapons support program for Ukraine.
"I would like to emphasize once again that South Korea's participation in such supplies in any way, whether direct or indirect, will only delay prospects for resolving the Ukraine conflict," Zakharova said. She added, "This will undoubtedly cause irreversible damage to Russia-South Korea relations."
Zakharova expressed surprise at reports of South Korea's possible PURL participation. "This would not be consistent with South Korea's official line of not participating in Western efforts to supply weapons and ammunition to Ukrainian forces," she said. "South Korean officials have repeatedly stated this."
Meanwhile, a South Korean Foreign Ministry official said on the 20th that Seoul is continuing consultations on various support measures for NATO regarding Ukraine assistance. The official confirmed PURL participation is under review.
PURL is a program where NATO member countries provide funding to purchase U.S. weapons for delivery to Ukraine. South Korea is reportedly considering limiting its support to non-lethal equipment if it joins PURL.