Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Sunday that North Korea has begun sending military personnel to support Russian forces in Ukraine. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy condemned the growing cooperation between the two countries, describing it as a violation of United Nations sanctions and a threat to global security.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the partnership between Russia and North Korea has gone beyond weapons transfers, as North Korean soldiers are now reportedly joining Russia’s ranks on the battlefield. “We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like in North Korea,” he said. “It is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about the transfer of people from North Korea to the occupier’s military forces.”
The Ukrainian president warned that the collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang could have far-reaching consequences, with concerns that Russia may offer advanced missile and nuclear technology in return for North Korea’s military support.
Zelenskyy called on Western allies to step up their military aid to Ukraine in response to this development. “Our frontline needs more support,” he said, urging for more long-range capabilities and decisive supplies for Ukraine’s forces. “We need to act right now to prevent Russia and its accomplices from adapting to our capabilities.”
The announcement comes as Zelenskyy continues his push for increased military aid from European allies as part of his administration’s “Victory Plan.” Last week, he met with leaders in Berlin, London, Paris, and Rome, urging them to provide more advanced weaponry and support Ukraine’s effort to force Russia into peace. “Peace can only be achieved through strength,” Zelenskyy reiterated, stressing the importance of immediate action.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to discussing potential peace proposals from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, although no formal proposals have been received. The last known communication between Putin and Scholz was in December 2022, when Scholz urged Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
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