Kim pledges unwavering support for Russia’s Ukraine war amid growing alliance

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his country’s steadfast backing for Russia’s war in Ukraine, emphasizing that North Korea will “invariably support” Russia’s efforts to defend its sovereignty.

Kim made the declaration during a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on Friday, according to North Korea’s state media.

The meeting, which focused on bolstering the strategic partnership between the two nations, marks a significant moment in the deepening ties between North Korea and Russia, particularly as North Korea has been accused of sending troops and weapons to aid Moscow’s war effort.

The official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim and Belousov reached a “satisfactory consensus” to strengthen their cooperation in the face of global shifts in security dynamics.

Kim expressed strong support for Russia’s position, stating that North Korea will continue to back Moscow’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity,” framing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a defensive response to what both countries label as NATO’s aggressive eastward expansion and U.S.-led efforts to diminish Russia’s global influence.

“The policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty from imperialists’ moves for hegemony is one that North Korea will invariably support,” Kim said.

The summit comes amidst mounting concerns over the expanding military and diplomatic cooperation between North Korea and Russia. According to assessments from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine, North Korea has sent over 10,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces, with some already reportedly engaging on the frontlines. In addition, North Korea is said to have supplied Russia with artillery, missiles, and other weapons to replenish Russia’s strained inventory.

While both North Korea and Russia have neither confirmed the troop movements nor the weapons shipments, the growing partnership has alarmed the international community. South Korea, the U.S., and their allies are particularly concerned that Russia may provide North Korea with advanced military technology in return, including assistance in developing more sophisticated nuclear missiles.

South Korean national security adviser Shin Wonsik recently indicated that Russia may have provided North Korea with air defense missile systems and economic aid, fueling fears of further military and technological exchanges between the two nations.

The summit also highlighted the broader implications of the alliance. In June, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a historic treaty, pledging mutual military assistance in the event of an attack on either country, marking a significant shift in post-Cold War defense relationships.

As tensions continue to rise over the Ukraine conflict and North Korea’s increasing involvement, the strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea is set to have lasting consequences for global security dynamics.