MOSCOW - Russia on Wednesday warned the Republic of Korea of its potential supplies of lethal weapons to Ukraine, saying it will "lead to a deterioration of bilateral relations."

"We would like to warn the Republic of Korea against rash steps that could lead to irreversible consequences for Russian-South Korean relations," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow. The ROK is also referred to as South Korea.

Last week, local reports cited the office of the ROK president, saying that Seoul will reconsider the possibility of providing lethal weapons to Ukraine after Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement

Russia will not indifferently watch as weapons and equipment of the ROK are transferred to the Ukrainian side, the diplomat said, adding that Seoul's supply of lethal weapons to Kyiv will lead to a deterioration in relations between Russia and the ROK.

Last week, local reports cited the office of the ROK president, saying that Seoul will reconsider the possibility of providing lethal weapons to Ukraine after Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. 

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Last week, the ROK's foreign ministry said it had summoned the Russian ambassador. First Vice-Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun conveyed Seoul's stance to Georgy Zinoviev, the top Russian envoy to Seoul, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

Attempts to intimidate Russia are unacceptable, Zinoviev was quoted as saying by the Russian Embassy in Seoul.

"The ambassador said that cooperation between Russia and North Korea is not aimed at a third country," the embassy said in a post on X soon after he was summoned to the ministry. The DPRK is also referred to as North Korea. 

With Reuters inputs