South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol denied Friday that Seoul had provided arms to Ukraine, after his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin warned of negative consequences for relations between the two countries if Yoon had approved the shipment of military equipment to Kiev.
«We have provided humanitarian and peaceful assistance to Ukraine, in solidarity with the international community, but never lethal weapons or anything like that,» Yoon replied in questions from reporters, as reported by the South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Yoon said that Seoul has sent bulletproof vests, helmets, tents, blankets and other medical supplies since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops began.
«In any case, it is a matter of our sovereignty, and I would like you to understand that we are trying to maintain good and peaceful relations with all countries of the world, including Russia,» the South Korean leader said.
Russian media reported on Thursday that Putin knew that South Korea had decided to supply arms and ammunition to Ukraine, a move by which Seoul would «destroy the relationship» with Moscow, he had said at an international meeting with Russian experts in the Russian capital.
«Now we have learned that the ROK has made a decision to supply arms and ammunition to Ukraine. This will destroy our relations,» Putin warned, TASS news agency reported.
The Russian head of state, however, described relations with the South Korean administration as «friendly.»
