Vitaly Saenko13:54, 28.10.24

The Alliance believes that the deployment of North Korean troops in Kursk is also a sign of Putin’s growing desperation, because the initiator of the war against Ukraine cannot continue his offensive without foreign support.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization intends to increase military support for Ukraine against the backdrop of the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia for the war against Ukraine. As reported by a UNIAN correspondent, this was stated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a short briefing in Brussels.

Rutte said that this morning a delegation from the Republic of Korea (South Korea), a close partner of the Alliance, informed the North Atlantic Council and other Pacific partners – Australia, Japan and New Zealand – of North Korea’s increasing involvement in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

“Today I can confirm that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia and that North Korean units have been deployed in the Kursk region,” Rutte stressed.

In this regard, the Secretary General of the Alliance said that such a deployment represents three points.

“Firstly, this is a significant escalation of the long-term involvement of the DPRK in Russia’s illegal war. Secondly, this is another violation of the UN Security Council resolution. And thirdly, this is a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war,” Rutte said.

As Rutte noted, the Alliance calls on Russia and North Korea to immediately stop these actions.

According to him, the deepening of military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is a threat to the security of the Pacific region and the Euro-Atlantic region.

“This undermines peace on the Korean Peninsula and fuels Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Rutte added.

He noted that North Korea has already provided Russia with millions of artillery shells and ballistic missiles, and this is fueling the largest conflict in the center of Europe and undermining global peace and security.

“In exchange, Putin provides North Korea with military technology and other support to circumvent international sanctions,” Rutte stressed.

The Alliance Secretary General added that this underlines the importance of the overall unity of democracies in upholding values ​​and responding to common security challenges.

“But the deployment of North Korean troops in Kursk is also a sign of Putin’s growing desperation. More than 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Putin’s war and he cannot continue his offensive in Ukraine without foreign support. That is because the Ukrainians are fighting with courage, resilience and ingenuity,” Rutte said.

At the same time, he said NATO allies would continue to support a free and democratic Ukraine because Ukraine’s security is the security of the Alliance.

“Today we discussed the need to further strengthen military support for Ukraine,” Rutte said.

He added that consultations are actively underway with allies, Ukraine and Indo-Pacific partners on the development of the situation and that the situation is being closely monitored.

Rutte has scheduled telephone conversations with South Korean President Yun Seok-yul and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov later today.

(C)UNIAN 2024