Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov is currently in North Korea for discussions with his North Korean counterpart, No Kwang-chol. The focus of these talks is on the implementation of a strategic cooperation agreement that was established between Moscow and Pyongyang earlier this year.

According to the Russian military official, the treaty aims to serve as a stabilizing factor in Northeast Asia, positively contributing to the maintenance of the regional balance of power and mitigating the risk of renewed conflict on the Korean Peninsula, including the potential use of nuclear weapons.

The North Korean minister expressed gratitude for the “dynamic exchanges and collaboration” between the military sectors of both countries.

This high-level dialogue follows allegations from the United States and its allies that North Korea has dispatched approximately 12,000 troops to Russia for training and potential involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have refrained from confirming or denying these claims. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that it is solely the responsibility of the two nations to determine how they will fulfill their obligations under the new treaty.

The agreement outlines that Russia and North Korea will support each other in the event of aggression from a third party. In August, Ukraine conducted an incursion into the Kursk Region.

Moscow views the conflict in Ukraine as a proxy war orchestrated by the United States against Russia, with Ukraine serving as a “battering ram.” Russian officials have charged that Washington has been steadily intensifying the situation, particularly by permitting long-range attacks using donated missiles on Russian soil.

Putin has remarked that the recent decision, disclosed earlier this month, effectively makes the US and other nations providing arms to Kiev de facto participants in the conflict. He emphasized that Ukrainian forces would not be able to operate such advanced weaponry without the direct involvement of the supplying countries.