The Ukrainian president noted that he takes into account Seoul's restrictions on arms supplies, but believes that "the air defense system is not a weapon, but exclusively defensive equipment"SEOUL, May 30.
/tass/. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky hopes that the Republic of Korea will supply the necessary air defense (air defense) equipment to Kiev. He stated this in an interview with the newspaper Chosun Ilbo, published on Tuesday.
Zelensky noted that he takes into account Seoul's restrictions on the supply of weapons, but believes that these principles do not apply to defensive systems and equipment to protect energy infrastructure facilities.
"The air defense system is not a weapon, but exclusively defensive equipment. To restore Ukraine, we need a "heavenly shield", I sincerely hope that the Republic of Korea will help us in this area," he added. Earlier in May, during a visit to Seoul, his wife Elena Zelenskaya also called on the South Korean side to supply air defense systems.
The President of Ukraine also commented on the transfer of non-strategic nuclear weapons from Russia to the territory of Belarus. "Ukraine is not afraid of threats and measures related to Russia's nuclear weapons," Zelensky said, claiming that this move is a "political ploy aimed at intimidating Ukraine and Europe."
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said on Channel One last week that the transfer of non-strategic nuclear weapons from Russia to the territory of the republic has already begun. Earlier, Russian and Belarusian Defense Ministers Sergei Shoigu and Viktor Khrenin signed documents in Minsk defining the procedure for keeping Russian nuclear weapons in a special storage facility on Belarusian territory.
The Republic of Korea has so far provided financial and humanitarian assistance to Kiev, supplied non-lethal military items, such as helmets, but did not transfer weapons. In April, Yoon Seok-yel admitted that Seoul could supply weapons in case of "gross violations of the laws of war."