Russia defends N. Korean troop deployment in Ukraine war

In a contentious U.N. Security Council meeting, Russia’s ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, challenged Western nations’ right to support Ukraine while arguing that North Korea should also be allowed to assist Moscow.

Highlights

• Allegations of violations: Representatives from the U.S., U.K., South Korea, and Ukraine accused Russia of breaching U.N. resolutions by enlisting North Korean troops to bolster its military efforts in Ukraine.
• South Korea’s response: South Korean U.N. Ambassador Joonkook Hwang stated that supporting aggression contradicts the U.N. Charter and labeled North Korean troop deployment as a clear violation of multiple resolutions.
• Troop deployment: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reported that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are positioned in eastern Russia, with expectations they will be used in combat operations near Ukraine’s border.
• Nebenzia’s defense: Nebenzia maintained that Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea aligns with international law, questioning why Western nations are granted the right to aid Ukraine while excluding Russia’s allies.
• Ukraine’s counterargument: Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya highlighted that no countries assisting Ukraine face Security Council sanctions, emphasizing that North Korea is fully sanctioned for its nuclear ambitions.
• North Korea’s stance: While not officially confirming troop deployments, North Korea indicated any military action would comply with international law, citing perceived threats to Russia from the U.S. and its allies.
• U.S. warning: Deputy U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood cautioned Kim Jong Un against sending troops, suggesting that such a move could result in heavy losses for North Korean forces.

The exchange underscores rising tensions and differing perspectives on military support amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reflecting broader geopolitical divisions.