Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Western allies to take immediate action in response to the presence of North Korean troops stationed in Russia, warning that these soldiers could soon engage in combat against Ukraine. In a video statement posted on Telegram, Zelenskyy urged global leaders to move beyond passive observation and actively address the expanding threats against his nation.
Zelenskyy highlighted that North Korea has made significant advances in military capabilities, including missile technology and weapons production, and is now poised to gain battlefield experience. He reported that the first thousands of North Korean troops are already positioned near Ukraine’s border, a development he fears will force Ukrainians into defending against yet another adversary. “The world will watch again,” he warned, underscoring his call for preemptive action.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian intelligence has identified the locations of these North Korean forces within Russian borders. However, he noted that Ukraine’s allies have yet to provide the long-range weaponry essential to counter this new threat. “Instead of such necessary long-range capability, America watches, Britain watches, Germany watches…” he stated, pressing for a shift from rhetoric to action.
Zelenskyy’s video, interspersed with images of North Korean military displays and scenes from Ukraine’s ongoing war, follows his recent interview with South Korea’s KBS, where he criticized the lack of response to Russia’s enlistment of North Korean troops.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently estimated that 10,000 North Korean soldiers are stationed in Russia, including up to 8,000 in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have recently launched counterattacks. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui affirmed on Friday that North Korea would support Russia’s efforts until it secures victory in the conflict.
