North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed full and “unconditional support” for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, according to state media reports from Pyongyang. During a high-profile meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kim assured that North Korea firmly backs “all measures taken by Russian leadership” in response to what he termed the “root cause” of the Ukraine conflict.
This strong show of allegiance comes amid growing Western concerns over Pyongyang’s deepening military ties with Moscow. U.S. and European officials believe that North Korea has sent approximately 11,000 troops to support Russian forces over the past year—a claim that Pyongyang acknowledged publicly for the first time in April.
According to North Korea’s KCNA news agency, the meeting between Kim and Lavrov was held in an atmosphere of “warm comradely trust.” Kim also voiced his confidence that Russia would “surely win” and praised the country’s efforts in defending its dignity and national interests.
Russia’s foreign ministry released a video showing the two leaders exchanging a handshake and a hug, symbolizing a tightening alliance.
North Korea’s renewed military support comes at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has resumed military aid to Ukraine. In a recent interview, Trump confirmed that the U.S. will send Patriot air defense systems through NATO in response to increased Russian aerial strikes.
Kim’s partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin, formalized in a June 2024 agreement, includes mutual assistance in the event of foreign aggression. In addition to soldiers, North Korea has reportedly pledged to send thousands of workers to help rebuild Russia’s war-damaged Kursk region.
As the Ukraine war continues to polarize global alliances, the growing North Korea-Russia military axis is likely to raise tensions with the West and reshape geopolitical fault lines.
