By PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korea has issued a strong condemnation of Ukraine’s recent military incursion into Russian territory, describing it as an “unforgivable act of terror” supported by the United States and Western allies, according to a statement released by state media on Sunday.
The North Korean foreign ministry, in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), accused the United States of pursuing an anti-Russia policy that is “pushing the situation to the brink of World War Three.” The ministry alleged that the U.S. has provided Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with “astronomical” sums of lethal weapons.
“We strongly condemn the armed attack against the Russian territory by the Zelenskyy puppet regime under the control and support of the United States and the West as an unforgivable act of aggression and terror,” the statement read.
This condemnation comes amid strengthening ties between North Korea and Russia. In the past year, the two nations have dramatically upgraded their relationship, with their leaders meeting for two summits. Most recently, in June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact in Pyongyang on “comprehensive strategic partnership,” which included a mutual defense agreement.
The growing alliance between North Korea and Russia has raised concerns among Western nations and their allies. South Korea, Ukraine, and the United States have accused North Korea of supplying artillery and missiles to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine, allegations that both North Korea and Russia have denied.
North Korea’s statement of support for Russia in this conflict underscores the deepening geopolitical divisions surrounding the Ukraine-Russia war. It also highlights the potential for the conflict to impact international relations beyond the immediate region.
The situation remains fluid, with international observers closely monitoring the responses of other nations to these developments. The United Nations and other international bodies have yet to comment on North Korea’s latest statement.
As tensions continue to escalate, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between Ukraine and Russia face increasing challenges, with the involvement of other nations like North Korea further complicating the international landscape.
