Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko visited North Korea, as reported by KCNA. This visit follows U.S. calls for a ceasefire amid North Korea’s military support for Russia in Ukraine. Rudenko has played a vital role in strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea since the invasion began. Reports indicate over 12,000 North Korean troops are involved in combat in Russia’s Kursk region.
On Saturday, North Korean state media KCNA reported that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko is currently visiting North Korea. This visit follows a U.S. call for a ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, where numerous North Korean soldiers have been deployed to assist Russian military operations. Officials from Ukraine, the U.S., and South Korea have confirmed this presence of North Korean troops.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Deputy Minister Rudenko has played a significant role in fostering relations between Russia and North Korea. He has also participated in Russian delegations during early peace discussions regarding the Ukraine crisis. KCNA further mentioned Rudenko’s visit to a notable monument in Pyongyang but did not provide additional information about his itinerary.
Notably, reports indicate that over 12,000 North Korean soldiers are present in the Kursk region of Russia, actively participating in operations against Ukrainian forces. This detail was highlighted by Dorothy Shea, the former U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, during a Security Council meeting in January. Furthermore, U.S. President Donald Trump made a recent appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, requesting that he spare Ukrainian troops being pushed out of the Kursk area, an offer Putin agreed to consider, contingent upon their surrender.
In summary, the visit of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko to North Korea underscores the ongoing support and military collaboration between the two nations amidst the Ukraine conflict. Rudenko’s extensive involvement in enhancing bilateral ties since the onset of the war and the confirmed deployment of North Korean troops in support of Russian forces highlight the strategic dynamics at play. The international community remains attentive to the developments stemming from Rudenko’s visit and the implications for regional stability.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
