Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy voiced frustration over what he described as a lack of response from Western allies to Russia’s reported move to bring North Korean troops into its war effort in Ukraine. Speaking in an interview with South Korea’s KBS television, Zelenskiy warned that such silence could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin to expand his forces in Ukraine by securing further North Korean assistance.
Zelenskiy expressed concern that Moscow is not only seeking military support from North Korea but may also be negotiating for the arrival of North Korean engineers and civilians to work in Russian military production facilities. According to him, Putin appears to be testing the West’s response with this maneuver.
“Putin is observing the reactions of the West,” Zelenskiy said, adding that the current response from his allies amounted to “nothing, it is zero.” He cautioned that without a firm stance from Western nations, Putin could feel encouraged to escalate by increasing the foreign contingent.
This warning follows Zelenskiy’s initial announcement on October 13, when he alerted the international community to North Korean involvement in the conflict. Western allies have since acknowledged the development as a serious escalation but have yet to announce any specific countermeasures. The Ukrainian leader’s remarks highlight the challenges Kyiv faces in rallying global support as the conflict drags on, with new complexities emerging as Russia seeks international reinforcements.