Kim Jong Un Vows to Back Russia in Ukraine Conflict

North Korea Pledges Support for Russia's War in Ukraine

“I support everything the international community is doing to put Ukraine in a good position.”

North Korea pledges support for Russia's war in Ukraine, sparking concerns about escalating conflict and potential nuclear missile cooperation.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the US and Western countries of pushing Ukraine to attack Russian territory using long-range strike weapons. Kim condemned this action, stating that Russia should take action to make “hostile forces pay the price.”

Kim also reaffirmed North Korea's support for Russia's defense policy, emphasizing that his country will “invariably support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity from the imperialists' moves for hegemony.” This statement highlights the strengthening defense ties between Russia and North Korea since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also threatened to strike Ukraine again with a new nuclear-capable ballistic missile, following Moscow's latest widespread attack on critical energy infrastructure. This escalation has resulted in significant damage to Ukraine's energy system, with over a million households left without power.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening ties with Moscow, following a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on Friday. Kim emphasized the need to further boost the already close military partnership between the two nations.

Kim also took the opportunity to criticize the United States, accusing it of “direct military intervention in the conflict” by allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia using US-supplied weapons. This statement reflects the escalating tensions between North Korea and the US, as well as Kim's efforts to solidify his country's position alongside Russia.

The meeting between Kim and Belousov is the latest development in a series of diplomatic engagements between North Korea and Russia. The two nations have been working to expand their economic and military cooperation, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim signing a comprehensive strategic partnership during a summit in Pyongyang.

North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian forces, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. This development comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for NATO to offer security guarantees to parts of Ukraine controlled by Kyiv. Zelenskyy believes that these guarantees could “stop the hot stage of the war” and bring an end to the fighting.

Currently, about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory is under Russian control. Zelenskyy has implied that he would be willing to wait to regain this territory if a deal with NATO could ensure security for the rest of Ukraine. This approach highlights the complexities of the conflict and the need for a multifaceted solution.

North Korea's involvement in the conflict is not limited to troop deployment. The country has also been providing military equipment and ammunition to Russia, with reports suggesting that over 1,000 containers of military supplies were shipped to Russia in October 2023.

“If we want to stop the hot stage of the war, we should take under NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control,” Zelensky told Britain's Sky News, according to a voiceover translation of his remarks from Ukrainian into English.

“That's what we need to do fast, and then Ukraine can get back the other part of its territory diplomatically,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that any offer for Ukraine to join NATO must be extended to the entire country. “The invitation must be given to Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. You can't give an invitation to just one part of a country,” he stated. This stance underscores Ukraine's commitment to maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Zelenskyy's comments come at a critical time, ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in January. Trump has expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and has vaguely promised to end the war “on day one,” without providing any details on how he plans to achieve this. This lack of clarity has raised concerns about the potential implications of Trump's presidency on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

In contrast, NATO has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has emphasized that Ukraine's path to membership is “irreversible” and that NATO will continue to provide military aid and support to Ukraine. Rutte has also stressed that Ukraine's membership in NATO is essential for the country's security and for the stability of the region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made some significant changes to the country's military leadership. He's replaced the commander of the military's land forces, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, with Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi. This move is especially important given the current manpower shortages faced by Ukrainian troops.

Major General Drapatyi is a highly experienced warrior, having organized the defense in the Kharkiv direction and thwarted a Russian offensive earlier this year. He's been involved in the war since 2014 and has a strong track record of leadership. Meanwhile, Colonel Oleh Apostol, a Hero of Ukraine, has been appointed as the new Deputy Commander-in-Chief.

“The main task is to increase noticeably the combat efficiency of our army, ensure the quality of servicemen training, and introduce innovative approaches to people management in Ukraine's Armed Forces,” Zelenskyy said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for internal changes within the Ukrainian army, stating, “The Ukrainian army needs internal changes to achieve our state's goals in full.” This statement was made on Telegram following a meeting with top military and government officials.

In line with this goal, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed to a key position. Drapatyi is highly respected within the Ukrainian army, having successfully commanded the Kharkiv front since May. Under his leadership, the Russian offensive in the northeast was halted, and the front was stabilized.

Drapatyi's experience and reputation make him an ideal candidate to drive the internal changes necessary for the Ukrainian army to achieve its goals. As the conflict with Russia continues, Ukraine's military strategy and leadership will play a crucial role in determining the outcome.

”The main task is to increase noticeably the combat efficiency of our army, ensure the quality of servicemen training, and introduce innovative approaches to people management in Ukraine's Armed Forces,” Zelenskyy said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for Germany's ongoing support, particularly with air defense weapons, in a recent post on his Telegram channel. This acknowledgment highlights the significant role Germany has played in aiding Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy also revealed that Scholz had shared details about his recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This conversation likely touched on the ongoing conflict and potential pathways to resolution. Germany has been a key player in diplomatic efforts to address the crisis, and Scholz's communication with Putin underscores the complexity of international involvement in the conflict.

“It is obvious that only the strength of arms and the strength of diplomacy can force the perpetrator of the war to make peace and that this peace can only be achieved through strength,” Zelenskyy said.

Russian authorities have handed down an additional three-year prison sentence to Alexei Gorinov, a former Moscow city councilor, for speaking out against Russia's war in Ukraine. This new sentence comes on top of the seven-year prison term he's already serving for publicly criticizing the invasion.

Gorinov's latest sentencing was based on charges of “justifying terrorism,” and he's been ordered to be transferred to a maximum-security prison. In response to the sentence, Gorinov defiantly stated, “I am for peace and you like war,” as reported by Russian independent news portal Mediazona.

It's worth noting that Gorinov's initial sentencing was widely condemned by human rights groups, with Amnesty International describing it as an “unlawful reprisal” for exercising his right to free speech.

“The guilt that I have is that I, as a citizen of my country, let this war happen and was not able to stop it.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is set to visit China next week, with the war in Ukraine topping her agenda. She'll be meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss the ongoing conflict, among other global issues. This visit comes at a critical time, as Western leaders have accused China of supporting Russia's war effort by providing dual-use items.

China's stance on the war has been a subject of interest, with the country seeing a surge in imports from China starting in 2023. Notably, China has not imposed sanctions on Russia and has instead called for a negotiated settlement to the war. Baerbock's visit will likely be closely watched, given the complexities of China's relationship with both Russia and Ukraine.

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) is urging Ukraine to reject a US offer to provide anti-personnel mines, citing concerns that it would undermine the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Ukraine is one of 164 signatories to this treaty, while the US is not.

According to Tamar Gabelnick, director of the ICBL, the US offer has thrown the treaty into “crisis.” Gabelnick expressed hope that Ukraine would firmly reject the US offer, emphasizing the importance of upholding the treaty.

Russia has used anti-personnel landmines extensively in Ukraine, causing hundreds of casualties and contaminating large areas of agricultural land. Ukraine has pledged to investigate its own forces' use of anti-personnel mines.

The use of anti-personnel mines is a highly contentious issue, with many human rights organizations arguing that they are inherently indiscriminate and cause unnecessary harm to civilians. The ICBL and other groups are advocating for a global ban on these weapons.

Ukrainian defense official Yevhenii Kivshyk acknowledged that concerns have been raised by the international community regarding Washington's offer to provide Ukraine with anti-personnel mines. Kivshyk stated that Kyiv's delegation has taken note of these concerns and will convey them to the Ukrainian government.

Despite these concerns, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy views Washington's offer as crucial in defending against Russian attacks. The US has decided to provide Ukraine with anti-personnel mines, despite initial reservations due to humanitarian concerns. This decision marks a significant shift in US policy, as it had previously withheld these types of weapons from Ukraine.

Anti-personnel mines is prohibited under the Ottawa Treaty, an international ban signed in 1997. The treaty explicitly forbids the use, stockpiling, manufacturing, or transfer of these weapons. However, the US is not a signatory to this treaty, which has led to concerns about the potential consequences of providing these weapons to Ukraine.

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) issued a statement last week, cautioning that the possible transfer of anti-personnel mines from the US to Ukraine would have devastating “human consequences.”

“Ukraine already faces decades of demining work due to extensive Russian landmine use. Adding new mines to this contamination will only extend the suffering of civilians and complicate post-conflict recovery efforts,” the group stressed.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has arrived in Pyongyang, North Korea, for military cooperation talks with top North Korean officials. This visit highlights the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea, with Belousov praising the expanding military cooperation between the two nations.

During his visit, Belousov emphasized the significance of the strategic partnership agreement signed between North Korea and Russia in June. This agreement aims to reduce the risk of war by maintaining a “balance of power” in the region. Belousov noted that this partnership demonstrates the “highest level of mutual trust” between the leaders of the two countries and their desire to expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol also expressed his support for Russia's war effort in Ukraine, describing it as a “just struggle to protect the country's sovereign rights and security interests.” This statement underscores North Korea's alignment with Russia on key international issues.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov's arrival in Pyongyang was met with a show of solidarity from North Korean military officials, who were seen clapping under a banner that read: “Complete support and solidarity with the fighting Russian army and people.” This display of support highlights the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea, particularly in the context of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

Belousov, a former economist who replaced Sergei Shoigu as defense minister in May, is likely to discuss further military cooperation with North Korean officials during his visit. This comes on the heels of a meeting between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Seoul, which underscores the complex web of international relations surrounding the Ukraine conflict.

Ukraine has reported clashes with North Korean troops in the western Russian region of Kursk, marking the first direct engagement between Ukrainian forces and North Korean troops. This development raises concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict and the role of external actors like North Korea.

The Ukrainian military has successfully struck a Russian oil depot in the Rostov region, located in Russia's northern Caucasus. The depot, known as “Atlas,” plays a crucial role in the Russian military-industrial complex, supplying petroleum products to the Russian army, as stated by Ukraine's military on Telegram.

In addition to the oil depot strike, Ukraine's military also targeted a radar station used in Russian air defense in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. Notably, Zaporizhzhia is one of the four Ukrainian regions that Russia claimed to have annexed in September 2022.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging Ukraine and its allies to consider diplomatic solutions to end the war with Russia. In a recent interview with German broadcaster ZDF, Merkel emphasized that “Russia must not win this war,” as Moscow's invasion is a “blatant violation of international law.”

Merkel, who served as chancellor from 2005 to 2021, shared that she worked tirelessly to prevent escalation of tensions with Moscow during her tenure. She believes that a Russian victory would not only harm Ukraine but also undermine Western interests, stating “it is not only in the interest of Ukraine but also in our interest that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] does not win this war.”

Merkel's call for diplomatic solutions echoes the sentiments of experts who argue that a negotiated settlement is crucial to ending the conflict. Some have proposed a range of solutions, including greater autonomy for eastern Ukraine, neutrality for Ukraine, and international guarantees for Ukraine's security.

Angela Merkel emphasized the importance of exploring diplomatic solutions in tandem with ongoing military support. She noted that Ukraine and its allies must collectively determine the optimal time to initiate negotiations, underscoring the need for a unified approach. Merkel expressed her support for the policies of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government regarding Ukraine, highlighting Berlin's position as one of Kyiv's most significant supporters.

Merkel stated, “I support everything the international community is doing to put Ukraine in a good position.” However, she also acknowledged that achieving a military victory against Moscow would be a formidable challenge for Kyiv. This nuanced perspective reflects the complexity of the situation, where a multifaceted approach is necessary to address the ongoing conflict.