Recent claims from Kiev suggest that North Korea has been sending soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces in the conflict against Ukraine. However, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated that the alliance cannot confirm these reports. Ukrainian President Zelensky also alleged that North Korea has been providing weapons and personnel to Moscow.
Rutte expressed concern over the reports and condemned the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Zelensky called for new sanctions on Pyongyang based on information from Ukrainian spy services confirming the supply of weapons and soldiers. South Korea’s Defense Minister also raised concerns about North Korean soldiers potentially being deployed in Ukraine.
The Kremlin has dismissed these claims as a hoax, with President Putin labeling them as complete nonsense. The signing of a Comprehensive Partnership Treaty between Russia and North Korea includes a clause for mutual military assistance in case of an attack. Russian officials stress that the agreement is defensive in nature and aimed at deterring aggression.