Putin strengthens ties with North Korea amid Ukraine crisis
Vladimir Putin submitted a draft bill to the Russian parliament concerning ratifying a strategic partnership with North Korea. This document includes a key provision on "military assistance," which the media connects to reports about plans to send North Korean soldiers to Ukraine.
Russian media reported that the draft had been submitted to the State Duma. In June, during his visit to North Korea, Putin signed the treaty on a "comprehensive strategic partnership" with Pyongyang.
The media highlight the fourth point of the agreement, "military assistance." This point stipulates that if one side becomes the target of aggression and enters a state of war, the other will "immediately provide 'military and other aid using all the available forces.'"
Furthermore, suppose there is a direct threat of armed aggression against one of the sides. In that case, the parties commit to promptly activate bilateral channels to conduct consultations, coordinate positions, and agree on possible actions for mutual assistance.
Obligations concerning sovereignty
The draft includes obligations for providing mutual military assistance in the event of undermining the sovereignty of one of the sides, including military assault, as emphasized by the Interfax agency.
Independent media draw attention to the document in the context of reports about the possibility of sending North Korean soldiers to Ukraine to fight on the side of Russia.
According to intelligence information from Ukraine and South Korea, "several thousand" North Korean soldiers are currently being trained in Russia, who may be sent to the front before the end of the year.
The situation in occupied territories
Ukrainian intelligence sources confirmed that North Korean officers were present in the occupied territories of Ukraine. On October 5, six North Korean officers were killed in a missile attack near Donetsk.
In his address Monday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that North Korea effectively joined the war. He did not provide further details.
The day before, Zelensky noted the tightening of relations between Moscow and Pyongyang. “This is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about transferring people from North Korea to the occupying military forces,” said the Ukrainian president.
"Thousands of North Korean soldiers are undergoing training in Russia for potential deployment to Ukraine by the end of the year," wrote the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on Saturday, citing the "Washington Post."
