North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticized the United States for authorizing Ukraine to launch missiles into Russian territory, calling it a direct intervention in the ongoing conflict. During a meeting on Friday in Pyongyang with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Kim stated that the U.S. and its allies had enabled Kyiv’s long-range strikes on Russia.
“The U.S. and the West made Kyiv authorities attack Russia’s territory with their own long-range strike weapons,” Kim said, according to North Korea’s state news agency KCNA. He urged Russia to ensure “hostile forces pay the price” for their actions.
Kim reaffirmed North Korea’s alliance with Russia, stating that his government and military would “invariably support” Moscow’s efforts to defend its sovereignty against what he termed “imperialist hegemony.”
The meeting also discussed deepening strategic partnerships between the two nations, with Belousov reportedly inviting a North Korean military unit to participate in Russia’s annual May 9 parade on Red Square.
The meeting came amid heightened tensions following the use of U.S.-made ATACMS missiles by Ukraine. Russia responded with intensified counterattacks, including deploying its hypersonic Oreshnik missiles, which are reportedly difficult to intercept due to their speed exceeding Mach 10.
Kim condemned Ukraine’s missile strikes as “irresponsible actions that prolong the conflict and threaten humanity.”
Recent reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war efforts in exchange for military intelligence and technology. South Korean officials estimate the number could rise to 10,000. Additionally, Russia has reportedly accepted North Korean-made weapons, further defying international sanctions.
The escalating conflict coincides with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration. Trump has promised to withdraw U.S. involvement in Ukraine and broker peace, though his strategy remains undisclosed.
The ongoing war has resulted in staggering human costs, with reports indicating that nearly one million people have been killed or wounded since its onset in 2022.
Kim’s meeting with Belousov underscores a deepening alliance between North Korea and Russia, with both nations opposing Western interventions. As the conflict intensifies, global leaders and observers await significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy under the new administration.
