Russian lawmakers have approved a pact to strengthen military ties with North Korea. The move comes after the US confirmed the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia.
Members of Russia’s lower house of parliament voted Thursday to accept the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty. Members of the upper house are expected to follow.
President Vladimir Putin signed the deal in June along with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. They agreed to provide “all means” of military assistance if either country is attacked.
At a news conference on Thursday, Putin said: “We have never doubted that the North Korean leadership takes our agreements seriously. But what we will do and how we will do it is our business.”
When asked about satellite images showing troops from the North already in Russia, he responded, “If there are images, then they reflect something.”
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government said on Telegram that about 12,000 North Korean soldiers have landed in Russia. They say the first units were sent to the western region of Kursk.
Ukraine considers that area to be a “combat zone” and has launched attacks there. It says the Kremlin has “high hopes for the North Korean component” in the war.