By tf-lawyer.com In a recent interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that it is not up to other countries to comment on whether Russia should deploy North Korean soldiers to the battlefield. This remark came amid reports of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s visit to Vladivostok in 2023, highlighting the strengthening ties between North Korea and Russia.
Ukrainian officials announced on the 25th that North Korean troops could be joining Russian forces as early as this weekend. NBC reported that this dramatic shift in the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not only alarming for Russia’s adversaries but may also create unease in China. Historically, China has been a key ally of North Korea, and the deepening relationship between Moscow and Kim Jong-un threatens to undermine Beijing’s influence over Pyongyang.
The U.S. government confirmed this week that North Korea is sending troops to Russia, possibly to engage in combat in Ukraine. This news has raised serious concerns among the United States and its allies, suggesting a significant escalation in the conflict and increased security risks for North Korea’s neighboring countries. Moreover, it may not sit well with China, which could view it as a troubling sign of Russia’s growing assertiveness.
Ian Bremmer, founder and president of the Eurasia Group, expressed during an interview on the 24th that he believes China is very unsettled by this development. “If North Korea is actually sending troops to fight for Russia, it’s clear that Russia would be equally willing to assist in defending North Korea. In many ways, Russia has indeed replaced China as North Korea’s most important protector,” Bremmer noted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that North Korean forces stationed in Russia could start participating in battles as soon as the 27th. The United States and its ally South Korea reported that North Korea has deployed around 3,000 troops to Russia, with estimates suggesting the total could reach 12,000. This would mark the first large-scale overseas deployment of North Korean troops since the Vietnam War.
Bremmer mentioned that Beijing is not particularly pleased with North Korea’s recent actions or the trajectory of the Ukraine war. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an end to the Ukraine war at the recent BRICS summit, and Bremmer believes North Korea’s moves are a significant factor behind this appeal.
Last week, during a meeting in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other high-ranking officials, Bremmer remarked that they expressed clear anxiety regarding the relationship with Russia and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Although the Chinese government seems reluctant to exert influence over Russia concerning the Ukraine issue, Bremmer suggested that it is now actively considering “strengthening its stance; perhaps after the elections, Beijing will be more willing to collaborate with the U.S. and other nations to seek an end to the conflict.”
