Lavrov acknowledged the strengthening ties between the Russian and North Korean militaries, thanking North Korea for its steadfast position regarding the situation in Ukraine. Reports indicate that thousands of North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, raising concerns from the United States about the potential for these forces to engage in combat soon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Western allies to take decisive action against the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, highlighting that these soldiers are now close to Ukraine’s borders. In a video message, he warned that North Korea has enhanced its military capabilities and that Ukrainian forces may soon face these troops in battle. Zelenskyy also expressed the need for permission from allied nations to launch preemptive strikes against North Korean troop formations in Russia.
In response to the evolving situation, the US announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, totaling $425 million. This assistance aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities, including air defense systems and various munitions.
Despite the tensions, China’s foreign ministry stated that it views the growing relations between North Korea and Russia as an internal matter for those sovereign nations. Beijing emphasized its desire for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
