Russia is willing to provide COVID-19 vaccines to North Korea if needed, Moscow’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference on Wednesday.

His offer came a week after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held an enlarged politburo meeting to scold officials for causing a “grave” incident related to the country’s prolonged COVID-19 prevention efforts.

“During our embassy’s contacts with representatives of the North Korean leadership, we said on many occasions that we are ready to render the required assistance if necessary. Certainly, this applies to vaccines and medical equipment, should the need arise,” Lavrov saidin response