Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that the number of North Korean troops stationed in Russian territory may increase to 100,000.
Zelensky, in a speech to the European Parliament delivered online, stated, “Putin has already deployed 11,000 North Korean troops to the Ukrainian border. This force may increase to 100,000.”
He also added, “While some European leaders are preoccupied with elections or other matters, with Ukraine paying the price, Putin is focused on winning this war. He will not voluntarily stop. The longer it takes, the worse the conditions become.”
On that day, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its one thousandth day. Zelensky urged EU countries to implement more sanctions.
He emphasized, “In the past thousand days, it is crucial to significantly reduce Russia’s ability to fund the war through the sale of oil. Oil is the lifeblood of the Putin regime, and the tanker fleet is key to its survival. As long as these tankers are operating, Putin will continue to kill. Strong sanctions are indispensable.”
Ukraine and its Western allies have stated that North Korea has provided weapons and troops to Russia to support its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
South Korea’s intelligence agency reported last week that North Korean troops have been engaged in combat operations against Ukrainian forces.
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty with North Korea, which includes mutual defense clauses.
(Reference: Reuters)