AS-South Korea Jalin Nuclear Deal, Russia: Destabilization And Negative For Regional Security

Russian Foreign Ministry. (Wikimedia Commons/RIA Novosti archive image #507433/Alexander Polyakov/CC-BY-SA 3.0)

JAKARTA - Russia's Foreign Ministry on Friday criticized the nuclear agreement between the United States and South Korea, saying the agreement would destabilize the wider region and world.

Not only that, but Moscow also warns of potential arms race as a result of the deal.

The United States on Wednesday pledged to provide South Korea with more insight into its nuclear planning, while Seoul pledged not to look for its own nuclear weapons, in an agreement that both sides say is aimed at fighting North Korea.

Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly reviled at what it sees as the ever-increasing presence of the United States military across Asia.

"These developments are clearly destabilizing and will have serious negative consequences for regional security, which has an impact on global stability," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Furthermore, Moscow says efforts by the United States and NATO to "determine military superiority" will bring nothing but an increase in tensions and could "trigger an arms race".

Washington accuses Moscow of conducting nuclear tests on statements from Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, since the start of Ukraine's war, Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons to maintain its "territorial integrity".

As previously reported, in a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden this week, South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol said the agreement aims to strengthen South Korea's defenses in the face of North Korea's fast-growing nuclear weapons program.