They ask Moscow to cease its military cooperation with Pyongyang, as it is “a dangerous expansion of the conflict” in Ukraine
Dec. 16 () –
The foreign ministers of the G7, together with those of Australia, South Korea and New Zealand, condemned this Monday “in the strongest terms” North Korea’s “direct” support for Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine.
“Together we reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine in defense of its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We urge North Korea to immediately cease all assistance in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including the withdrawal of its troops,” they said. stated in a joint statement published by the Italian Foreign Ministry.
Pyongyang’s “direct” support for Moscow “marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict” that could have “serious consequences for the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific.” “We urge Russia to immediately end its war of aggression against Ukraine and to cease its military cooperation with North Korea,” they added.
The foreign ministers of the G7 and their allies have recalled that North Korea’s export of ballistic missiles, ammunition and other military equipment to Russia, as well as the training of soldiers in the use of these weapons, is a “flagrant violation” of the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
Likewise, they have said they are “deeply concerned” about “any political, military or economic support” from Russia for North Korea’s “illicit weapons programs,” including weapons of mass destruction, something that could “exacerbate the environment.” already tense on the Korean Peninsula.
For all these reasons, they have called on the international community to join this condemnation. “We will continue to act jointly, including through the imposition of economic sanctions, to respond to the danger posed by the partnership between North Korea and Russia,” they concluded.
The Ukrainian authorities have stated this Monday that their troops have killed or wounded at least 30 North Korean soldiers deployed in the Russian region of Kursk, the scene of an incursion by the Ukrainian Army since August.
The United States estimates there are around 11,000 North Korean soldiers present in the Kursk region. North Korea and Russia signed a military agreement that includes a mutual defense clause and which came into force at the beginning of the month.
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