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Putin Receives North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Amid Speculation of Military Support by Moscow

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Russian President Vladimir Putin received North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui at the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday amid an increasing spotlight on the possibility of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. The meeting, on the eve of Russia’s National Unity Day, marked a reinforcement of diplomatic and strategic relations as Choe conveyed “sincere, warm, comradely greetings” from Kim Jong-un. That represents the second visit by Choe in more than a month and reflects deepening ties between Russia and North Korea as the Russian military operation in Ukraine continues.

During her visit, Choe underlined the “invincible military comradeship” of the two countries, adding that North Korea was ready “till the day of victory” to stand together with Russia against Ukraine. That is the epitome of growing alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang, where cooperation seems increasingly interlinked over military and technical respects. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov joined his counterpart in framing their alliance as a mutually rewarding partnership in a worldwide era of realignment.

Concern Over North Korean Troops Near Ukraine

Ukraine has been increasingly appalled by reports of a potential deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia’s Kursk region, right next to its borders. Ukrainian intelligence sets the number of North Korean troops at as high as 11,000, raising the stakes for Kyiv, which urged more concrete support from Western allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on an unequivocal response from European countries, stating North Korea’s possible involvement steeply increases the stakes in the region.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, in turn, confirmed reports of North Korean soldiers in the area and suggested they may be joining Russian combat efforts soon. In the meantime, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged Germany and other allies to treat North Korean actions as a direct threat to European security. He asked that Europe recognize the threat that consisted of North Korean forces acting in the interests of Russia within Europe’s borders.

German and EU Support for Ukraine to be Reiterated

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock promptly promised “rock-solid” support to Ukraine, while pledging 200 million euros ($218 million) for emergency winter aid. This is supposed to help boost Ukraine against the bitter winter and an increasingly fluid battlefield. Baerbock was quoted as saying, “We stand firmly at your side as long as you need us.

The European Union has joined the condemnation of North Korea’s alleged arms transfers to Russia, labeling them “unlawful.” In a joint statement with South Korea, the EU is demanding that North Korea immediately stop any military support to Russia. South Korean and EU officials also warned about the dangers such support could mean for regional stability while urging strict adherence to UN sanctions barring North Korea from international arms dealings.

Growing Strategic Alliance Between Russia and North Korea

The relationship between Russia and North Korea has grown closer in recent months, especially after Kim Jong-un visited Russia last September and met with senior officials to discuss military cooperation. The U.S. and its allies have raised concerns that North Korea is supplying Russia with substantial military supplies, including ballistic missiles, anti-tank weapons, and ammunition. While both Russian and North Korean officials have denied this, many of those intelligence reports suggest that the support has been used to help Russia’s war in Ukraine.

U.S. representatives have taken it to the United Nations Security Council, where they blame Russia and China for “shamelessly protecting” North Korea and making it possible to commit more and more violations of international sanctions. This might imply an axis developing between Moscow and Pyongyang that reflects North Korea’s desire to exploit Russian technology in its military programs, with recent satellite launches foreshadowing a wider technological exchange.

Future Consequences of the Russia-North Korea Alliance

Choe’s visit to Moscow appears to be a first step toward a possible Putin visit to North Korea at Kim Jong-un’s invitation. The spokesperson also emphasized that, while a date has not been decided on, the visit of Putin to North Korea remains on the agenda. Of course, if that happens, it would be historic movement for greater outreach in bilateral relations and perhaps even closer cooperation between the two countries.

A partnership between Russia and North Korea would be further enigmatic for the Western powers because it shows the expansion of Russia’s alliances amid international isolation. Since both countries are under distraught sanctions and diplomatic pressures from the West, the alliance may cause further military and economic exchanges that might reshape geopolitical dynamics in East Asia and beyond. While that might make North Korea well-placed to help the Russian military effort, the consequences for Ukraine and its Western friends could become overwhelming, extending the conflict and making any diplomatic solutions all the more complicated.

The meeting epitomizes new and elaborate alliances in the context of war in Ukraine. With this closeness, Russia and North Korea will only mean new challenges in dealing with the regional and international spillover consequences for global powers of this axis.

Read Also: Russian President Vladimir Putin to Hold Talks with UAE Leader Sheikh Mohamed

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