Putin expresses gratitude to N-Korean soldiers

(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to North Korean soldiers and their leader, Kim Jong-un, for their contribution in repelling a Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk Region. The Russian military confirmed last week that the border areas of Kursk, which had been seized by Ukraine in August, were fully liberated with the support of North Korean forces.

Putin acknowledged the North Korean troops for their solidarity, bravery, and highly specialized training, stating that they stood side by side with Russian forces, defending Russia as if it were their own homeland. He praised their heroism and pledged to honor the North Korean soldiers who lost their lives during the mission, comparing them to Russian troops in terms of valor and honor.
The involvement of North Korean forces was linked to a mutual defense treaty signed between Russia and North Korea in June, which included provisions for mutual military support.

In response, Pyongyang described the Ukrainian forces in Kursk as “neo-Nazi” and claimed that North Korean troops played a significant role in thwarting what it called an "adventurous political and military attempt" by Western forces and Ukraine to alter the course of the broader conflict.

Ukrainian officials had suggested that the incursion was meant to divert Russian forces and gain leverage for future peace talks, while the Kremlin viewed it as a provocation meant to escalate tensions. Meanwhile, the Biden administration justified Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied weapons, citing the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, while US President Donald Trump accused Ukrainian President Zelensky of undermining diplomatic efforts with public criticisms of peace proposals.

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