Rutte: North Korean soldiers reveal Putin's desperation

 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Russia's deployment of North Korean soldiers to the Kursk region is a sign of Russian President Vladimir Putin's growing desperation.

Rutte made a statement to the press at NATO headquarters in Brussels before a meeting with a high-level delegation from South Korea.

Speaking about North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine war, Rutte said, "In return, Putin is providing North Korea with military technology and other support to circumvent international sanctions."

Rutte assessed that "the deployment of North Korean troops to Kursk is also a sign of Putin's growing desperation."

The Secretary General stated that Russian President Putin cannot sustain his attack on Ukraine without foreign support.

Stating that this situation undermines the security of both Europe and the Asia-Pacific, Rutte said, "NATO allies will continue to support a free and democratic Ukraine, because Ukraine's security is our security."

Rutte noted that today, within the alliance, they will discuss with representatives from both Ukraine and the Asia-Pacific the need to further strengthen military support for Kyiv, and will also address what can be done regarding North Korea's involvement.

NORTH KOREA'S INVOLVEMENT

Russian President Vladimir Putin paid an official visit to North Korea in June, and a "comprehensive strategic partnership agreement" was signed between the parties.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in a statement on October 25 that they had learned Russia would deploy the first North Korean soldiers to combat zones on October 27-28.

In a statement made by the White House on the same day, it was announced that more than 3,000 soldiers had been brought to Russia to fight with Ukraine, and that some of these soldiers had likely been placed in the Kursk region.

News Source: 12punto