Putin signals Russia's right to engage North Korean troops amid tensions with NATO

In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Moscow reserves the right to make its own security decisions, including whether to involve North Korean troops in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Putin’s remarks come as the U.S. reported evidence of North Korean forces being dispatched to Russia, allegedly to support Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.

Approximately 3,000 North Korean troops are believed to have been sent for possible deployment, according to U.S. intelligence, with reports of the first units arriving in the Russian border region of Kursk.

While Putin refrained from directly confirming the presence of North Korean soldiers, he insisted on Russia's sovereign decision-making. He argued that if Ukraine could seek NATO membership as a means of ensuring its security, Russia likewise had the right to pursue its own measures. “This is our business,” Putin told Russian state television, stressing that any decisions involving North Korean forces fall under Russia’s discretion.

Putin criticized the West’s approach, remarking that they have repeatedly claimed Ukraine’s NATO aspirations are a matter of Ukrainian sovereignty. He argued this stance overlooks the broader implications for Russia and warned Western countries to reconsider their approach toward Moscow to avoid further escalation.

The alignment between Russia and North Korea has strengthened following Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June, where he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a strategic partnership agreement. Article 4 of the agreement includes a mutual defense clause, stating that if either country faces armed aggression, the other will provide comprehensive military support. While Putin has not confirmed any specific North Korean military involvement, he asserted Russia’s right to interpret and act on its defense arrangements as needed.

Accusing the West of escalating the Ukraine conflict, Putin highlighted that any military cooperation between Russia and North Korea falls within Moscow’s authority, reflecting what he described as Russia’s sovereign security interests in response to NATO’s expansion.