North Korean troops join Russia: NATO faces new challenge
North Korean troops are reportedly supporting Moscow in its fight against Ukraine. They have already arrived in the Kursk Oblast. According to NATO, this represents a "significant escalation" of the war. The President of Lithuania has voiced his concerns, stating that the Alliance must respond. "Indecisiveness leads to escalation, not the other way around," he emphasized.
The President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, believes that in response to the presence of North Korean troops on Russian territory, NATO should permit Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory and enhance military aid.
"North Korean units are aiding Russia in its war with Ukraine. NATO must respond by providing Ukraine with everything it needs to win," he said, as quoted by "Ukrainska Pravda".
He specified the steps NATO should take, primarily "supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles, allowing strikes deep into Russian territory, and increasing military aid."
What is NATO's stance?
"North Korean soldiers will be involved in the war, and we will not impose any additional restrictions on Ukraine's use of American weapons against them," said Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on Monday.
According to Singh, the estimated number of North Korean soldiers initially sent to training camps in eastern Russia is currently about 10,000. Some have started moving west, towards Ukraine.
The U.S. administration assesses that this contingent will likely support the Russians in the Kursk Oblast. However, despite Ukrainian authorities' information that North Korean soldiers are already in the combat zone, neither Singh nor State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed these reports.
