NATO official: North Korean military involvement in Ukraine reveals Russia's weakness
Photo: NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Gerry Connolly (flickr.com/afge)
NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Gerry Connolly stated that the potential involvement of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine to support Russia marks a dangerous escalation of the war. North Korea has already been supplying missiles and ammunition to Russia, and now troops may be deployed, according to Radio Liberty.
"Northern Koreans want to gain combat experience. They have one of the largest armies in the world, but they have minimal combat experience—in fact, none at all. Their last combat actions were during the Korean War 70 years ago. Now, the Russians have invited them to fight in Ukraine. I believe North Koreans have clear goals for themselves," Connolly explained.
According to the NATO PA president, the involvement of North Korean troops highlights Russia's weakness.
"From the perspective of Ukraine and NATO, this shows a certain weakness on Russia's part. Do you need North Korean troops to be deployed in Europe to fight in Ukraine? Maybe it's because, frankly, Russia's military capabilities are exhausted? Estimates suggest Russian losses are around 600,000, including killed, wounded, and missing. These numbers approach the losses from World War II in the early stages of Operation Barbarossa," he emphasized.
When asked about possible leverage the US has over North Korea, Connolly said such leverage doesn't exist.
"The US has no leverage over Kim Jong Un. Former President Donald Trump could meet Kim again and say how great he is and exchange love letters. But, clearly, that will not influence North Korean behavior. North Korea will do what it wants," Connolly stated.
He also pointed out the shift in international relations.
"Russia was the dominant partner in relation to North Korea during the Korean War. Now, it's North Korea supplying weapons and even troops to Russia. Similarly, China, which once received support from the USSR, now dominates in relations with Russia," said the NATO PA president.
According to Connolly, this situation demonstrates how much Russia's influence has diminished and how vulnerable it has become.
"The fact that Putin has to turn to these countries to continue his horrific war in Ukraine says a lot," concluded the NATO PA president.
North Korean troops in Ukraine
On October 17, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the first reports of a potential deployment of North Korean military personnel to Ukraine. According to him, Pyongyang plans to send 10,000 soldiers from various military branches to support Russia in the war.
However, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that there is no evidence of this information at present. On October 18, the SPRAVDI Center released a video that allegedly shows North Korean soldiers training on Russian soil.
The French Foreign Ministry expressed concern, stating that the involvement of North Korean troops in the war could spread the conflict to Asia. The White House called Pyongyang's decision "an act of desperation" amid Russia's massive losses on the front.
According to the British agency The Telegraph, North Korea sent an elite special forces unit to Russia.
Meanwhile, Moscow and Pyongyang deny the participation of North Korean soldiers in the war on Russia's side.
