WASHINGTON — The United States is “concerned” by reports of North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia in Ukraine, a White House spokesperson said Tuesday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week accused North Korea of transferring personnel to Russia’s armed forces, saying his intelligence agencies had briefed him on “the actual involvement of North Korea in the war” in Ukraine.
The Kremlin has dismissed the allegation as “fake news.”White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said the involvement of North Korean troops in Ukraine, if true, would mark a significant increase in the North Korea-Russia defense relationship.
Washington says North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and ammunition.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when he visited Pyongyang in June, and said it included a mutual assistance clause under which each side agreed to help the other repel external aggression.
Persons:
WASHINGTON, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ”, Sean Savett, ” Savett, Charles Flynn, “, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un
Organizations:
National Security, Ukraine, North, Center, New, New American Security
Locations:
United States, Russia, Ukraine, Korea, North Korea, Washington, Moscow, Pyongyang, U.S, New American, Russian