Zelensky Criticizes West for Inaction on North Korean Troops

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed deep frustration over the 'zero' response from Western allies regarding the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia, which he believes could lead to an increased military presence on Ukraine's borders. In a recent interview, Zelensky noted that North Korean soldiers have not yet engaged in combat, but he anticipates their involvement soon, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken corroborated that 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, with about 8,000 positioned in Kursk. Zelensky accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of testing Western resolve and suggested that continued inaction would embolden Russia to escalate the conflict. He also highlighted potential cooperation with South Korea to counter this threat. Meanwhile, the U.S. and South Korea are urging China to leverage its influence over North Korea to mitigate the situation, though Beijing has remained silent. As international tensions rise, Ukraine's foreign minister has called for the lifting of missile restrictions to counter the North Korean deployment.