Korea says 'closely' monitoring developments on negotiations to end Ukraine war

Smoke rises in the sky over the city after a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Feb. 17. Reuters-Yonhap

Korea is "closely" monitoring developments related to efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday, as the United States and Russia will hold talks on the matter this week.

A ministry official made the remark as top U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, later in the day to discuss ending the nearly three-year war.

"With a high level of interest in efforts to end the war, the government is closely monitoring developments related to such negotiations," a ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

The official said Seoul would cooperate with friendly countries for the "swift" restoration of peace and reconstruction of Ukraine, adding that it plans to continue providing support to Kyiv.

Korea has provided humanitarian and nonlethal aid to Ukraine since the outbreak of the war in February 2022. (Yonhap)