NATO warns of Russia-North Korea arms partnership risk
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that Russia is transferring technology and weaponry to North Korea in exchange for military support. He emphasised that such cooperation threatens the security of Europe, the United States, and Asian countries, such as South Korea and Japan.
During a meeting in Brussels with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Rutte noted that North Korea is not the only regime supporting Russia's aggression in Ukraine. "For some time now, we have seen how the sanctions imposed on Russia are being circumvented by countries like China and Iran," said the NATO chief.
Threat to global security
"All of this increases Putin's capacity to wage war against Ukraine. However, nothing comes for free. Russia pays for these supplies by transferring weapons, technology, and financial resources," warned the NATO chief. He indicated that strengthening countries like North Korea, Iran, or China constitutes a serious threat not only to Europe and the USA but also to global security.
Rutte emphasised that Iran is supplying drones and other types of weaponry to Russia and that China is providing support in circumventing international sanctions. "Such actions destabilise the global situation and threaten the security of our allies in Asia," he added.
During talks in Brussels, Rutte and Blinken discussed further steps aimed at supporting Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. The leaders agreed on the necessity of maintaining NATO allies' unity and continuing military and humanitarian assistance to Kyiv.
