Putin plays coy about North Korean troops in Russia – Washington Examiner
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed speculation regarding the presence of North Korean troops in Russia during a Q&A session following the BRICS Summit. When confronted with reports and satellite imagery showing North Korean soldiers on ships in Vladivostok, Putin declined to confirm or deny the reports, merely stating that images can indicate underlying realities. U.S. intelligence suggests approximately 3,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia, possibly to assist in military training or maneuvers related to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin acknowledged evidence of North Korean troops in Russia and expressed concerns regarding their potential role in the conflict. National Security Adviser John Kirby also indicated the likelihood of North Korean troops preparing for possible engagement alongside Russian forces, though he refrained from making definitive claims about their involvement in combat activities.
Putin plays coy about North Korean troops in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin played coy about whether troops from North Korea were in Russia during a question and answer session after the conclusion of the BRICS Summit on Thursday.
During the closing session of the summit, Putin was asked about the recent reports and satellite photographs of North Korean troops on ships in Vladivostok, Russia. Intelligence reports within the United States claimed that approximately 3,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia and have begun military drills and training. When asked if the reports were accurate, Putin refused to confirm or deny, the Associated Press reported.
“Images are a serious thing, if there are images, then they reflect something,” Putin replied when asked about whether the pictures were indeed of North Korean troops in his country.
Many officials believe that North Korea’s troops are in Russia to prepare to enter the war in Ukraine on Russia’s behalf. It is a sentiment and concern the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin shared this week.
“We are seeing evidence that there are North Korean troops that have gone to … Russia,” Austin said. “What exactly they’re doing will have to be seen.”
“We’ll continue to pull this thread and see what happens here,” Austin said. “If they’re co-belligerents, if their intention is to participate in this war on Russia’s behalf, that is a very, very serious issue.”
National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby also suggested that Pyongyang’s troops could be preparing to enter the war. However, he was not ready to commit to the idea but said it was highly probable.
“We do not yet know whether these soldiers will enter into combat alongside the Russian military,” Kirby said. “But this is certainly a highly concerning probability.”
Still a shroud of mystery remains about the two country’s militaries collaborating in the Russian Far East. Putin did little to ease concerns about the potential of North Korean troops entering Ukraine by touting a new “strategic partnership” pact predicated on mutual military assistance between North Korea and Russia during the summit’s last day the Associated Press reported. Nevertheless, the Russian president remained reticent about military plans.
“We have never doubted that the North Korean leadership takes our agreements seriously,” Putin said. “What and how we will do within the framework of this article (of the agreement) is our business.”
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