In an ominous warning Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that North Korea's military involvement in Russia's war with Ukraine poses a threat beyond the immediate conflict with Kiev, and that Russia has He said this could mean that they are supporting development.
“In fact, the relationship between Russia and North Korea is a two-way street,” Blinken said, speaking from NATO headquarters in Brussels alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha. “North Korea supports Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.
“At the same time, the assistance Russia is providing to North Korea, which may include support for its nuclear and missile programs, also poses a threat to the security and safety of the Korean peninsula,” it added.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, November 13, 2024. (Nicolas Tucat, pool photo via AP)
First clash between Ukrainian and North Korean forces. Zelenskiy warns of escalation
Blinken's comments coincided with South Korean intelligence's announcement on Wednesday that North Korean forces had launched combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Kursk — an area roughly in the area where Ukraine launched offensive operations in August. It came just weeks after the US warned that 8,000 North Korean soldiers had been relocated.
Blinken called the development “very important and very negative” as it “increases the threat to the security and stability of Europe as well as the Asia-Pacific region.”
He argued that North Korea's direct combat operations against Ukraine demonstrate that adversaries such as Russia, North Korea, and Iran are increasingly involved in joint malign activities around the world.
“I think the role that Iran plays is increasing the indivisibility and security between the Euro-Atlantic theater, the Indo-Pacific theater, the Asia-Pacific theater, and even the Middle East,” Blinken said, adding that the United States and its allies mentioned NATO. is “very focused on this.”
Ukraine's foreign minister echoed Blinken's warning, insisting that “the future of the transatlantic and global security is being decided in Ukraine.”
Mr. Sibiha on Tuesday night highlighted Russia's recent attacks on Kiev. The attack marked the first time a combination of drones and missiles targeted the capital since August. Civilians were forced to evacuate to a subway station, but no casualties were reported.
This image from a video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Friday, November 1, 2024, shows Russian soldiers taking part in a shock force combat training at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (Russian Ministry of Defense Press Service, via AP)
President Zelenskiy warns that alliance between North Korea and Russia could cause problems in Asia: China's 'silence is impressive'
“Russia is using Iranian drones and North Korean troops to attack Ukraine, and in return provides support to these regions,” Sibiha said. “This is how this war undermines the security of Southeast Asia and the Middle East. They are all connected.
“If we want to ensure long-term peace and stability in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, we must force Russia to end its aggression,” he added.
Mr. Blinken's time as secretary of state saw him through one of the most tense geopolitical periods between the West and its major adversaries since World War II, but the The next Trump administration is scheduled to take office, and its term is nearing its end.
With growing uncertainty about how President-elect Donald Trump will handle this complex security situation, particularly whether he will continue military aid to Ukraine, Blinken said the Biden administration will He said he would use the time to step up defense assistance to Kiev.
This pool photo distributed by Russian state news agency Sputnik shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un listening to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024. (Kristina Kormilitsina/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
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Blinken said the Biden administration “will spend every day continuing the work of the past four years to strengthen this alliance.”
He also pledged to “continue to ramp up” aid to Ukraine over the next year to ensure it is in a position to effectively counter Russian advances or effectively negotiate peace with Russia. did.
