Lavrov Warns US, Allies Against Asia Security Alliances During North Korea Visit

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during his visit to North Korea, issued a strong warning to the United States, South Korea, and Japan against forming security alliances aimed at Russia and North Korea, emphasizing that such actions could destabilize regional security. Lavrov praised North Korea’s military support in Ukraine, specifically noting the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the liberation of Russia’s Kursk region, which he described as a demonstration of the close bond and solidarity between Moscow and Pyongyang. He highlighted that Russia understands and respects North Korea’s nuclear program, attributing its development to the work of North Korean scientists, and criticized the ongoing military buildup by the US and its allies near the Korean Peninsula. Lavrov stressed the need for reliable security mechanisms in Northeast Asia that ensure equal and indivisible security for all countries, rejecting bloc-based alliances. The visit underscores the deepening military and diplomatic cooperation between Russia and North Korea amid increasing tensions with the West, with Lavrov delivering messages from Russian leadership to Pyongyang and reinforcing opposition to US-led security initiatives in the region. This cooperation contributes, according to Lavrov, to stability on the Korean Peninsula despite the heightened regional military activities.