Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested weapons aid from the South Korean government during a virtual address to the country’s lawmakers on Monday, stating a need for military equipment to fight against Russian tanks and missiles, The Wall Street Journal reports.
South Korea has provided Ukraine with some humanitarian relief and non-lethal military supplies worth about $800,000, such as bulletproof helmets, blankets and medical supplies, according to Seoul’s defense ministry. But South Korea has balked at Ukrainian requests for lethal arms.
“We thank South Korea for the help you have provided, but in order to survive from the war with Russia we need more help,” Mr. Zelensky said during the roughly 15-minute virtual address.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov last week requested anti-aircraft weapons from his South Korean counterpart during a call late last week. But Seoul, citing the country’s security situation and the impact on the military’s readiness posture, has said it would be unable to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine.
