Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused North Korea of sending thousands of soldiers to support Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine and called for more military assistance from Western partners. In his nightly address on Sunday, October 13, Zelensky warned that this growing alliance poses a larger threat than mere weapons exchanges and could escalate the conflict.
Zelensky’s Urgent Appeal
In his speech, Zelensky emphasized that the partnership between Russia and North Korea goes beyond weapons transfers, claiming it involves North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces.
“We see that the alliance between Russia and such regimes as the North Korean one is getting stronger,” he stated. “This is not just about the transfer of weapons, this is in fact about the transfer of people from North Korea to the armed forces of the occupiers,” Zelensky added.
Zelensky reiterated the necessity for Ukraine’s allies to provide more advanced military capabilities and continuous support. He urged for a shift in Ukraine’s military aid to include long-range weaponry and a steady supply of resources.
“It is obvious that under such conditions our relationship with our partners needs to evolve,” Zelensky remarked. “The front line needs more support. We are talking about more long-range capabilities for Ukraine and more sustained supplies for our forces rather than a simple list of military hardware.”
Zelensky stressed that increased military support would help put pressure on Russia, making it harder for the Kremlin to continue its campaign, while also preventing a broader, more devastating war.
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South Korea Sounds the Alarm
Concerns over North Korean involvement have also been raised by South Korea. Officials in Seoul indicated a “high possibility” that North Korean troops are aiding Russia, though these claims were swiftly denied by Moscow.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov addressed the allegations on October 10, dismissing them as “fake news” during a press briefing. Peskov refuted the idea that North Korea was sending soldiers to Ukraine to support Russian forces.
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Zelensky’s comments followed his recent diplomatic tour across Europe, where he sought further military aid from Ukraine’s Western partners. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to push forward in eastern Ukraine, with Kyiv describing the situation near the strategic city of Pokrovsk as “very difficult” after Russian troops seized another village.
