Zelenskyy Criticizes Western Allies for Inaction Following Russian Deployment of North Korean Troops
Ukraine’s President expressed concern that Western allies are simply biding their time until the North Korean military begins targeting Ukrainians.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine denounced the lack of reaction from Western allies in light of Russia deploying North Korean troops to participate in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy stated that if provided with suitable weapons, Ukraine could potentially strike preemptively against the newly stationed soldiers.
“Instead of offering the necessary long-range capabilities, America, Britain, and Germany are merely observing,” the Ukrainian leader remarked in the statement. “They are all waiting for the North Korean military to take action against Ukrainians.”
The Epoch Times reached out to the White House for a response.
Zelenskyy made these remarks shortly after U.S. officials disclosed that up to 8,000 North Korean soldiers had been dispatched to Russia’s Kursk region in the west, and would likely join forces with Russian troops in the near future.
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Blinken mentioned that these troops could support Russian military operations with artillery and drone activities. Previously, the U.S. Department of Defense suggested that the North Korean soldiers might primarily serve in infantry roles.
“If these troops engage in combat or support operations against Ukraine, they become legitimate military targets,” Blinken emphasized, assuring that the U.S. government is closely monitoring the situation.
During a recent press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin neither confirmed nor denied the enlistment of North Korean soldiers to assist in the invasion of Ukraine.
Initially, North Korea denied its involvement but later justified the decision as compliant with international law.
At the Oct. 31 press conference, Blinken and Austin reiterated calls for China to use its diplomatic relationships with Russia and North Korea to prevent escalation in the conflict in Ukraine.
China Must Act, Zelenskyy Asserts
Zelenskyy urged China, referring to them as the “observer,” to intervene more significantly following the deployment of North Korean troops.
“We are aware of all the logistical ties between Russia and North Korea that aid Russian aggression, and these ties must be severed,” he stressed. “This responsibility, among other things, falls on major Asian nations. It falls on China, which often talks about peace yet remains a passive observer. While such statements are made, North Korean soldiers are advancing to the frontlines.”
The Ukrainian leader concluded his statement by urging allies to take action rather than simply observe.
“Words condemning the escalation and expansion of warfare must be backed by action,” he declared. “North Korea’s involvement in this European conflict poses a threat to the world that must be thwarted.”
According to the South Korean government, the Oct. 31 launch marked North Korea’s longest ballistic missile test ever, with a duration of 87 minutes.
In a statement, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett acknowledged that while the missile test did not pose a threat to U.S. personnel, the country, or its allies, it violated multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and needlessly heightened tensions, risking destabilization in the region.
The last time North Korea test-fired an ICBM was in December 2023 with a Hwasong-18 missile.
Ryan Morgan, Stephen Katte, and Reuters contributed to this report.
