Russia supporting N.Korea nuclear programme in exchange for troops: NATO chief

"In return for troops and weapons, Russia is providing North Korea with support for its missile and nuclear programmes," Rutte told journalists after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers.

North Korea, Russia defence treaty comes into force
Seoul (AFP) Dec 4, 2024 - A landmark defence pact between North Korea and Russia, signed by its leaders in June, has gone into effect after the two sides exchanged ratification documents, North Korea's official KCNA news agency said Thursday.

The formalization of the treaty comes as the United States and South Korea have accused the nuclear-armed North of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help Russia fight Ukraine.

Experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is keen to acquire advanced technology from Moscow and battle experience for his troops in return.

Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the strategic partnership deal during the Kremlin chief's visit to Pyongyang.

It obligates both states to provide military assistance "without delay" in the case of an attack on the other, and to jointly oppose Western sanctions.

It came into effect from Wednesday, when the ratification documents were exchanged in Moscow by the countries' vice foreign ministers Kim Jong Gyu and Andrei Rudenko, KCNA reported.

Lawmakers in Moscow last month voted unanimously for the deal and it was later signed by Putin. Pyongyang said it was ratified by a decree from Kim.

The treaty will serve "as a strong driving force accelerating the establishment of an independent and just multi-polarized world order without domination, subjugation and hegemony," KCNA said.

Analysts have suggested Pyongyang could be using Ukraine as a means of realigning its foreign policy.

By sending soldiers, North Korea is positioning itself within the Russian war economy as a supplier of weapons, military support and labour - potentially even bypassing traditional ally, neighbour and main trading partner China, they say.

North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Both countries are under rafts of UN sanctions -- the former for its nuclear weapons programme and the latter for the Ukraine conflict.

Kim said last week during a visit to Pyongyang by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov that his government, army and people would "invariably support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity".

Putin hailed the deal in June as a "breakthrough document".

Russia supporting N.Korea nuclear programme in exchange for troops: NATO chief
Brussels, Belgium (AFP) Dec 4, 2024 - NATO chief Mark Rutte said Wednesday that Russia was giving support to North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes in exchange for Pyongyang sending troops to fight in the war with Ukraine.

He urged NATO members to send enough arms to Ukraine to change the course of the conflict as Russian forces make gains along the frontline.

"In return for troops and weapons, Russia is providing North Korea with support for its missile and nuclear programmes," Rutte told journalists after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers.

"These developments could destabilise the Korean Peninsula and even threaten the United States."

Ukraine and its allies say North Korea has sent soldiers to Russia to fight alongside Moscow's forces in the Kursk region.

Rutte has stressed the risk the alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang poses to the United States ahead of Donald Trump's return to office.

Washington's allies are trying to find ways to convince Trump that it is in his interest to keep up US support for Ukraine.

The volatile Republican has cast doubt on continuing vast US military aid to Kyiv and promised to cut a quick deal to end the war.

"The increasing alignment of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran highlights the global nature of the threats we face, including the escalating dangers of the ongoing war in Ukraine," Rutte said.

The situation on the battlefield is looking increasingly grim for Ukraine as Trump's inauguration comes near.

Russian forces are advancing along the front line as Kyiv's fatigued forces struggle with weapons supplies and manpower shortages.

"We must provide enough support to change the trajectory of this conflict once and for all," Rutte said.

"We discussed what more allies can do to provide critical ammunition and air defences."