Ukrainian politician Zelensky is seeking a decisive response to North Korea's involvement in the war

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday (October 20) that he expects a strong response from countries that have acknowledged that North Korea is becoming increasingly involved in Russia's more than two-and-a-half-year-old war against Ukraine.

In his late-night video address, Zelensky said there was ample satellite and video evidence that North Korea was sending not only equipment but also soldiers to Russia in preparation for operations.

“I am grateful to the leaders and representatives of states who do not close their eyes and speak openly about this cooperation in the interests of a larger war,” he said. “We expect a normal, honest and strong response from our partners in this regard.”

Zelensky said greater North Korean involvement could only be harmful for everyone.

“Unfortunately, instability and threats can increase significantly after North Korea is trained for modern warfare,” he said.

“If the world is silent now and we have to deploy soldiers from North Korea on the front lines, just as we have to defend ourselves against (Iranian) Shahed drones, it will certainly not benefit anyone in the world and will only prolong the war.”

North Korea's actions, he said, “effectively mean that another country is entering the war against Ukraine.”

Last week, Zelensky accused North Korea of ​​deploying officers alongside Russia and preparing to send thousands of troops to support Moscow's war effort. South Korean intelligence said on Friday that North Korea had sent 1,500 special forces to Russia's Far East for training.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday he could not confirm reports that North Korea had sent troops to Russia ahead of a possible deployment, but said such a move would be concerning if true. NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Thursday there was no evidence of Pyongyang's presence at this point.

The use of regular North Korean troops to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine would represent a serious escalation of the war, the foreign ministers of France and Ukraine said at a joint news conference in Kiev on Saturday.