Russia warns ROK of retaliation over Ukraine arms support

Russia warned on Saturday that it will take retaliatory measures if the Republic of Korea (ROK)participates in the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a weapons aid program for Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia appreciates the ROK's previous non-participation approach to arming Ukraine, considering it a necessary basis for keeping bilateral relations afloat and a prerequisite for restoring dialogue and cooperation.

She reiterated that the ROK's participation in the weapons aid program in any form will only postpones the prospects for a settlement of the conflict and cast irreparable damage to Russia-ROK relations, and Russia will be forced to retaliate.

According to sources from the ROK government, the government is currently studying the possibility of joining the PURL, a mechanism initiated by the United States and NATO, through which NATO member states provide funding for the purchase of American weapons and technology for Ukraine via so-called voluntary contributions.

Russia warns ROK of retaliation over Ukraine arms support

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) temporarily halted two of the most widely used trusted-traveler programs for airlines as the partial shutdown of the DHS continues.

The temporary suspension of the PreCheck and Global Entry programs took effect on Sunday morning.

It is part of a series of emergency measures taken by the department in response to funding shortages and insufficient personnel.

Other measures include suspending airport security escorts and other expedited services for members of Congress, as well as halting all "non-disaster-related response" activities by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The DHS is "making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions", DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.

The suspension came during a partial government shutdown affecting only the Department of Homeland Security, after the U.S. Congress failed to reach a funding agreement amid a standoff over immigration enforcement policy.

US airlines to suspend two key traveler programs amid Department of Homeland Security shutdown