Blinken Warns of Response to North Korean Troops in Ukraine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a warning regarding the deployment of North Korean troops alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, stating it necessitates a 'firm response.' During meetings in Brussels with NATO and EU officials, he emphasized the global implications of this conflict, highlighting the interconnectedness of security issues across the Euro-Atlantic, Indo-Pacific, and Middle East regions. Blinken reaffirmed the Biden Administration's commitment to support Ukraine amid concerns over potential shifts in US foreign policy with Donald Trump's upcoming presidency. He noted that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers are now engaged in combat operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast, which raises the stakes in the ongoing conflict. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed these sentiments, stressing the growing international ramifications of North Korea's involvement. The discussions come at a critical time as fears mount over the future of US assistance to Ukraine, particularly in light of political instability in Germany and the change in US leadership.