(Washington) The United States today found “extremely worrying” the comments of Russian President Vladimir Putin who said he “does not rule out” the possibility of sending weapons to North Korea, adding that this would risk to “destabilize the Korean Peninsula.”
“This is extremely concerning. It would, potentially, destabilize the Korean Peninsula,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.
“Depending on the type of weapons (provided), this could violate UN Security Council resolutions that Russia itself has supported,” he added.
He also warned South Korea against any arms supplies to Ukraine, while Seoul announced it was “reconsidering” its policy prohibiting such deliveries, in reaction to the signing of a defense agreement between South Korea. North and Russia on Wednesday.
Asked whether this could also destabilize the Korean peninsula, Miller said it was “up to each country to decide whether they are going to supply weapons to Ukraine”, while welcoming the prospect.
Russia and North Korea, under Western sanctions, have entered into a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” which provides for mutual assistance “in the event of aggression” and possible strengthening of “military-technical cooperation,” according to Mr. Putin.
The United States and Kyiv’s allies accuse Pyongyang of supplying ammunition and missiles to the Russian military for its war in Ukraine.
