The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine calls on the global community to intensify efforts to strengthen sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation and North Korea in connection with recent reports of the direct involvement of North Korean military units in the war against Ukraine
This decision comes in response to the official recognition of North Korean military involvement in combat operations on Ukrainian territory, which has caused significant resonance in international circles. According to Ukrainian MFA spokesperson Georgiy Tkyh, this news is hard to ignore, as both authoritarian regimes—Moscow and Pyongyang—had previously denied any involvement in the war, attempting to minimize the scale and seriousness of their participation. "The acknowledgment of North Korean military involvement in fighting against Ukraine is a very illustrative and signaling fact. It indicates that neither regime—Putin’s nor Kim Jong Un’s—can be trusted. Their words and promises carry no weight, as they are trying to hide the reality and their true intentions," the diplomat emphasized. Tkyh also highlighted that the substantial deepening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to the entire Europe, as well as to the Indo-Pacific region and the Korean Peninsula. He noted that since Russia began actively using North Korean ballistic missiles about a year ago, the situation has significantly worsened: initially, less accurate missiles were launched, but now they have been greatly improved and become more effective, utilizing experience gained during fighting in Ukraine. "Russia and North Korea are openly demonstrating their intention to strengthen their military capabilities, and this is detrimental to the entire region. Ukraine calls on the international community to act more proactively—applying existing tools of pressure and increasing sanctions to prevent these regimes from gaining access to Western technologies and resources, which would allow them to maximize their military potential," the Ukrainian MFA representative stated. It is worth recalling that recent reports confirmed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un authorized the deployment of troops to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine, claiming that this aligns with agreements within the framework of the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries. Subsequent statements from the Kremlin confirmed the participation of North Korean military personnel, and Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed “gratitude” to Kim Jong Un for such support, which sparked broad international reaction. While Western reactions have mainly focused on concern and calls for increased oversight, the European Union described this step as a "desperate move by Russia." Diplomatic circles note that such actions by Kremlin law enforcement signals Russia’s increasing isolation and its attempts to strengthen its military position globally through cooperation with the isolated North Korean regime. The international community urges not to remain passive in this critical situation and to do everything possible to counter further escalation of the conflict and the proliferation of military technologies that could once again enhance their destructive power. The decisions made today will determine not only Ukraine’s security but also regional and global stability.