Why Russia reveal DPRK soldiers now and how Trump is involved: Political analyst’s explanation

According to Fesenko, the demonstration of North Korean soldiers siding with Russia is a deliberate move by the Kremlin to raise the stakes.

"In reality, this is not an incident. It is a demonstration. See? You think we want to end the war? No. We have reserves. The North Koreans performed well in battles in the Kursk region. And it’s also a hint that we could arrange for several more tens of thousands of North Koreans to join the fighting," the political analyst explained.

Sign for Trump

In addition to demonstrating strength and reserves, Putin is also signaling to Trump that he could be useful to him, Fesenko believes.

"This is clearly a demonstration of strength, of additional resources and reserves. But the fact that they made this (the video of North Korean soldiers training – ed.) public is connected to the fact that Trump wants to negotiate with North Korea. It’s a show of strength, and at the same time — here we are (Russia – ed.), already helping you (Trump – ed.) with Iran, and now we could help with North Korea as well. That’s the game — Putin always has a second, if not a third, hidden layer in his various initiatives," the expert explained.

Response to North Korean soldiers

In the political analyst’s view, such actions by the Kremlin should be met with mirrored steps.

"There needs to be a demonstration. Okay, you’re saying that North Korean troops could be used. Well then, we will advocate for NATO forces to be present in Ukraine after the fighting ends. If you invite North Koreans, Ukraine has every right to host allied troops on its territory as well," Fesenko noted.

However, according to him, it is the United States that must demonstrate a tough position. But for now, Trump’s negotiators are not ready for a hardline approach toward Putin.

"They are still trying to appease Putin, making concessions to him. But this tactic doesn’t work. That’s why I think that now, slowly, the Americans are starting not to use the whip but to demonstrate — maybe a Colt, if you imagine Trump as a cowboy... That’s the kind of Colt they need to show. Not just a whip, but a Colt. Then, perhaps, Putin will be more compliant," the political analyst stressed.

In Fesenko’s opinion, peace talks do matter to Putin. However, Putin plays a more complex and varied game than Trump, and that is why he hasn’t been able to achieve quick results in the negotiation process.

North Korean soldiers siding with Russia

Today, Russia’s Defense Ministry acknowledged the participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine. A video showing the training of North Korean soldiers was released.

The footage shows North Korean military personnel who took part in the "liberation" of the Kursk region.

The video captures them moving across a training ground, practicing the execution of combat tasks. North Korean soldiers are being trained to fire mortars and other weapons. One of the presumed "instructors" is also shown teaching them how to use grenades.