North Korea has reaffirmed their support for Russia. What does this mean for Ukraine?
Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, has said that he will continue to “unconditionally support" and encourage Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to state media on Sunday.
The North Korean leader had met with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in Wonsan, an eastern coastal city, in a high-level strategic talk, where he said that he stood by “all the measures” taken by Russia. This year, Wonsan has made headlines due to a newly built massive beach resort in the city.
The Russian foreign minister met his counterpart, Choe Son Hui and signed a 2026-2027 exchange plan after the meeting.
What do the exchange plans mean to Ukraine?
Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov stated that up to 40 per cent of Russia’s ammunition used in Ukraine came from Pyongyang. The countries’ partnership involves the exchange of ballistic missiles and artillery systems from North Korea in return for money and technology from Russia.
In June last year, the countries had also signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. Since then, Pyongyang has been sending thousands of troops and artillery rounds to support Russia in its attacks on Ukraine.
About 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, according to Seoul. Last month, Pyongyang confirmed that it would deploy additional troops to the country. According to estimates, about 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers would be sent to assist Moscow in the coming months. Pyongyang has also supplied Russia with more than 12 million rounds of artillery shells, Yonhap News Agency reported.
During the meeting, Lavrov said that Russia "once again expressed our sincere gratitude for the contribution of Korean People's Army servicemen" who fought along with the Russian troops in Kursk.
The Russian foreign ministry had posted a video of Lavrov shaking hands with the North Korean Leader. This meeting is the latest in a series of high-profile trips made by Moscow officials to North Korea. The two countries have been strengthening ties as the war continues.
The meeting and exchange between the countries came just as US President Donald Trump decided to resume military supplies to Ukraine.
At the meeting, Lavrov had called for the countries to further strengthen their “strategic and tactical cooperation and intensify concerted action” in international affairs, according to North Korean state media, the Korean Central News Agency.
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