Macron urges China to restrain North Korea from participating in Russia’s war against Ukraine
Photo: French President Emmanuel Macron (Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned China that NATO may deepen its presence in Asia if Beijing does not do more to curb North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine, Politico informs.
Macron stated that the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia’s war against Ukraine is "big question for all of us."
"If China doesn’t want NATO to be involved in Southeast Asia, it should prevent (North Korea - ed.) from being engaged on European soil," he emphasized.
France has long maintained that the transatlantic military alliance should not expand its activities into Asia, and it led the campaign to block the opening of a NATO liaison office in Japan in 2023.
"I had objected to NATO having a role in Asia because I don’t believe in being enrolled in someone else’s strategic rivalry," Macron said, hinting that Paris may reconsider its stance.
The French president also warned of the risks of nuclear proliferation and the potential collapse of the world order established after World War II. He urged Asian countries to remain "independent" of both the United States and China.
"France is attached to strategic autonomy, freedom of sovereignty. We defend this approach for Europe and for the Indo-Pacific," Macron added.
North Korea is aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine
According to a report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), established by 11 UN member states, North Korea may have supplied Russia with up to 9 million artillery shells and at least 100 missiles over the past year and a half.
In addition, last year, the North Korean regime reportedly deployed its military personnel to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine. Currently, they are stationed in Russia’s Kursk region to take part in combat operations.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, stated that North Korean troops are gaining valuable combat experience and improving their weapons systems through fighting in the Kursk region and cooperating with Russia.
As of early February, North Korean forces had lost around 4,000 soldiers in battles in the Kursk area.
Budanov also revealed that Russia has upgraded North Korea’s KN-23 missiles, making them more accurate during strikes.
