Russia’s foreign minister has warned the U.S., South Korea and Japan against forming a security partnership targeting North Korea.

Russia has openly backed North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declaring support during a high-stakes visit to Wonsan. Lavrov warned the U.S., South Korea, and Japan against forming a security pact aimed at Pyongyang.

SEOUL (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his North Korean counterpart in the coastal city of Wonsan on Saturday, during which Pyongyang reaffirmed its support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine,