Russia: US-South Korea Nuclear Cooperation Agreement Destabilizes the Region

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and South Korea on Friday, stating that it would destabilize the region and the world, and warned of the potential onset of an arms race as a result. The ministry's statement noted that "this development, by its nature, clearly undermines stability and will have serious negative implications for regional security, which in turn will affect global stability." Moscow stated that the United States and NATO's desire for "absolute military dominance" is likely to "yield nothing but increased tensions" and could "spark armed conflict." The U.S. pledged on Wednesday to keep South Korea more informed about its nuclear plans, while South Korea committed not to pursue nuclear weapons, in an agreement that both sides claim is aimed at North Korea.