Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, frames any shipment of weapons to Kiev as an anti-Russian provocation. The Russian side openly characterizes arms deliveries to Ukraine as hostile acts regardless of the supplier, underscoring a consistent stance that such moves intensify tensions with Moscow and complicate bilateral dialogue.
From Moscow’s perspective, Russia states that its military actions in the region are defensive, aimed at countering what it views as a Western-led hybrid strategy that relies on Kiev as a conduit for proxy pressure. In this frame, arms shipments to Ukraine are depicted as direct challenges to Russian security and as tools used in a broader confrontation with the West.
The spokesperson emphasised that the escalation of arms transfers would have a negative impact on the bilateral relationship, signalling potential cooling in high-level exchanges and cooperation across various topics where mutual understanding would otherwise be sought.
Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Seoul reported that South Korean officials were aware of their involvement in arms supply channels to Ukraine, a development that Moscow suggests could carry consequences for Russia-South Korea relations and the broader regional dynamic.
Recent statements from Seoul suggested that the South Korean leadership did not rule out providing weapons to Ukraine, indicating a possible shift in security support considerations within the broader international coalition backing Kyiv. The dialogue surrounding this issue continues to be a focal point in diplomatic discussions with allied nations.
Prior to these remarks, South Korea’s defense ministry indicated that the policy would not alter abruptly within the context of ongoing conversations with the United States about the delivery of newer ammunition and other rearmament considerations, reflecting a cautious approach to changes in security commitments amid evolving geopolitical calculations.