North Korea has sent weapons to Russia and, although the presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine has not been confirmed, the United States warns that it could happen in the coming days. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pointed out that the 10,000 North Korean soldiers believed to be on their way will not replace the Russian forces lost in combat.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the allies' passive attitude towards the situation and expressed surprise at China's lack of response. Kiev urged to lift restrictions on launching missiles towards Russia in response to the escalation with North Korea.
On the other hand, North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui stated that North Korea will not give up its nuclear program and accused the West of increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang has recently tested new and powerful missiles as part of its nuclear deterrence strategy.
In Moscow, Choe promised support to Russia in the Ukrainian conflict and backing for the "wise leadership" of Vladimir Putin. The North Korean chancellor emphasized that they will continue to strengthen their nuclear arsenal. While there has been speculation about the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, neither the countries nor their representatives have confirmed this information.
Russia, in turn, thanked North Korea for its position on Ukraine and highlighted the importance of their relations. The Russian offensive in Ukraine has strengthened ties between Moscow and countries like North Korea and Iran, which are under heavy international sanctions.
The situation on the Korean Peninsula is considered delicate, with South Korea warning about possible security threats due to the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia and the potential for an escalation of tensions.
