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Zelensky announced the inclusion of the DPRK in the conflict on the side of Russia
Russia and North Korea have repeatedly rejected other countries' claims that North Korea is supplying arms to Moscow. Last summer, the two sides signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at a meeting of the Headquarters in a daily video address and said that North Korea was “practically involved” in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
"Among the most important were intelligence reports <...> about Russian intentions for the fall and winter. Everything is very detailed. In effect, this draws North Korea into the war. "The same applies to Russia's relations with other countries," he said.
Zelensky promised that Kyiv would respond decisively to Moscow's support from the other side and would cooperate with its partners in this direction.
This is not the first time that Prime Minister Zelensky has claimed cooperation between Moscow, Pyongyang and Tehran over the Ukraine conflict. Last September, he called North Korea and Iran “accomplices” and “special friends” of Russia. Moscow and Pyongyang have repeatedly denied allegations that North Korea is supplying weapons to the Russian military. The same has happened with the Islamic Republic.
Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun said a week ago that North Korea might send regular troops to Ukraine to support Russia. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the remarks "a canard."
Last June, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang and signed an agreement on strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un. On October 14, the Russian head of state proposed that the State Duma ratify the document.
One of the treaty's provisions stipulates that the states promise to provide each other with military assistance "if one of the parties finds itself in a state of war as a result of an armed attack by one or more states." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that the article reflects "a completely defensive position."
Last September, when Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu visited his country, Kim Jong-un wished the Russian people victory, prosperity and happiness and said, "I am confident that the North Korean government will continue to expand cooperation with Russia in the spirit of a comprehensive strategic partnership." "I have done so," he said.