Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the media during a press conference at the European Political Community Summit held in Budapest, Hungary, on November 7, 2024. Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that North Korean troops are actively engaged in combat alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. In a statement on Thursday during the European Political Community summit in Budapest, Zelensky revealed that 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia's Kursk region, near the Ukrainian border, and have already fought against Ukrainian forces. While he did not specify which side had suffered casualties, Zelensky made it clear that these soldiers had been involved in direct clashes with Ukrainian military units, resulting in fatalities.
Zelensky’s announcement comes as Ukraine's military offensive in Russian territory has slowed after three months of intense fighting. The involvement of North Korean troops marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about the expanding military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang. The increasing collaboration between the two countries is causing concern among the United States and its allies, who are now assessing how to respond to this growing alliance.
This revelation follows reports that some North Korean soldiers had been killed in combat while fighting alongside Russian forces, according to senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials. The use of North Korean soldiers in the conflict has drawn international attention, particularly as it comes at a time when tensions are escalating on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first public comments regarding the U.S. presidential election. On Thursday, he expressed his readiness for dialogue with President-elect Donald Trump, noting that Trump's statements about ending the war in Ukraine within 24 hours deserve consideration. Speaking at a forum in Sochi, Putin congratulated Trump on his victory and acknowledged his "courageous" recovery after surviving an assassination attempt in July. Putin’s willingness to engage in talks with Trump signals a possible shift in the dynamics of the conflict, especially as Trump has suggested that Ukraine could have avoided the war by making concessions to Russia early on.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has been critical of the U.S.'s ongoing support for Ukraine and hinted that he may reduce U.S. involvement in the conflict. His running mate, JD Vance, has also voiced skepticism about continued American backing for Kyiv, raising concerns among Ukraine and its NATO allies about a potential change in U.S. policy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the Valdai Discussion Club meeting in Sochi on November 7, 2024. Getty Images
Zelensky has consistently rejected any proposals that involve giving up Ukrainian territory to Russia, pushing back against suggestions that Ukraine should make concessions to bring about peace. Trump's comments about freezing the conflict and leaving Russia in control of seized Ukrainian territories, including Donbas and Crimea, have been met with resistance from Kyiv. According to experts, such a proposal could lead to a prolonged stalemate, with Ukraine forced to concede critical regions to Russia.
As the war intensifies, Ukraine’s military is facing one of the most significant Russian offensives since the conflict began. Russian forces have increased their attacks, particularly with the use of Iranian-made Shahed drones, which are being deployed in overwhelming numbers to target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Zelensky has urged world leaders to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons to counter these attacks, warning that without further international support, Russia may escalate its use of foreign troops, including more North Korean soldiers.
