Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he was briefed about the alleged involvement of Pyongyang in the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine, during a recent briefing. According to the briefing, he was given quite detailed information about what Pyongyang would contribute to Russian military action.
Likely North Korea Support for Russia
President Zelenskyy stated that according to intelligence, Pyongyang has also likely provided military support or equipment to Moscow. The details of the involvement were not even fully known, but speculations had been increasing about the likelihood that Pyongyang was supplying munitions, weapons, or any other military equipment to help support the military war efforts within Ukraine by Russia.
Zelenskyy would not say what was discussed, but he said the situation was grave. “We are considering all the aspects of how this will impact the war and our struggle for freedom,” he said in an address to the media.
Greater Russia-North Korea Cooperation
While news of the nuclear deal is emerging, relations between Moscow and Pyongyang seem to improve. North Korea leader Kim Jong Un lately had a high-profile summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which brought much heat in the West over enhanced military cooperation between the two nations.
Reports about North Korean artillery shells and arms shipments to Russia have floated around for months, but neither side publicly confirms such deals. In analysis, the reason could lie in that fact: Russia has been facing prolonged sanctions and is fighting a war with Ukraine on its multiple fronts with high intensity and now possibly exhausting supplies.
Ukraine’s Reaction and International Consequences
Notwithstanding, indirect North Korean involvement in the war against Ukraine might attract new international pressures from Washington and other allies that are already imposing sanctions against Pyongyang for their nuclear ambitions. The news from Zelenskyy may make the global geopolitical landscape all the more complex.
The Ukraine has been urging its international partners to enhance the pressure on the countries that are harboring any form of assistance towards Russia. “We are fighting not only for our country but for the principles of sovereignty and democracy in the whole world. Any country assisting this aggression must be brought to account,” Zelenskyy noted.
Concerns Among Western Allies
Confirmation of North Korea’s involvement will likely be watched with grave concern by the U.S. and European countries. The Biden administration has already sounded alarm over ties between Russia and North Korea being strengthened. North Korea’s weapons supply to Russia could be a breach of international sanctions, U.S. officials have repeatedly said.
If confirmed, North Korean involvement may herald not only renewed diplomatic efforts to further isolate the hermit state but also increasing focus on constraining further military aid that may flow into Russia.
What’s Next?
For Ukraine, yet another dimension has been added to their already complex fight for sovereignty with the involvement of North Korea. While the new government of Zelenskyy is set to address this new challenge, the need to remain in good terms with the Western nations exacerbates the situation further.
It will be of special interest for the international community to see what kind of developments these reported ties between Pyongyang and Moscow might bring and how they might influence the progress of the war. According to Zelenskyy, “Every piece of intelligence matters as we fight to protect our people and defend the future of Europe”.
Watch for updates as more of what North Korea is doing in the war over Ukraine comes to light.
