President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged Ukraine’s allies to move beyond mere observation and take decisive action against the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, warning that their involvement could lead to confrontations with Ukraine.
In a video shared on Telegram, Zelenskiy remarked on North Korea’s advancements in military capabilities, missile deployment, and weapons production, stating that “now, unfortunately, they will learn modern warfare.”
Thousands of soldiers from North Korea have reportedly positioned themselves near the Ukrainian border. “Ukrainians will be compelled to take up arms in their defense,” he stated. “Once more, the world will be watching.”
Zelenskiy announced that Ukraine had identified the precise locations of North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia. However, he noted that Kyiv’s Western allies had failed to provide the long-range weapons necessary for targeting them.
“However, rather than possessing the essential long-range capabilities, America observes, Britain observes, Germany observes…,” he stated.
Those who genuinely wish to prevent the escalation of the Russian war against Ukraine must take action rather than remain passive observers. Action is imperative. Corresponding actions must accompany statements regarding the unacceptability of escalating and broadening conflict.
The polished three-minute video combined his remarks with visuals of North Korean soldiers and missile launches alongside scenes of war and the United Nations.
In a recent interview with South Korea’s KBS television, President Zelenskiy expressed strong criticism regarding what he termed his allies’ “zero” response to the deployment of North Korean troops by Russia.
On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that approximately 10,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia. Notably, around 8,000 of these troops are located in the southern Kursk region, an area that witnessed an incursion by Ukrainian forces in August.
On Friday, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui expressed to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that North Korea would support Russia until it secures victory in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
