Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko has issued a warning regarding the possibility of South Korea providing military support to Ukraine, according to Russia's state-run TASS news agency.

In an interview published on the 25th (local time), Rudenko stated, "Our principled position that South Korea's military assistance to Kyiv will inevitably have a negative impact on South Korea-Russia relations has been repeatedly conveyed to Seoul through diplomatic channels."

He added, "We expect South Korea to continue maintaining this stance."

TASS explained that this remark was a comment on media reports that South Korea has refused to provide air defense systems to Ukraine.

Rudenko also said, "I am convinced that there are many people in South Korea who support the normalization of political dialogue with Russia and the restoration of trade and economic cooperation."

At the same time, he argued that prospects for improving bilateral relations are "impossible unless South Korean authorities abandon their participation in the West's sanctions policy against Russia."

Rudenko's remarks came as attention focuses on South Korea's stance on aiding Ukraine, following recent reports that two North Korean soldiers captured alive by Ukrainian forces are headed to South Korea.

On the 23rd in New York, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and stated that South Korea will continue to provide necessary support to the people of Ukraine.

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