Japan's foreign minister arrived in Kyiv on Saturday to discuss the deepening military alliance between North Korea and Russia, particularly focusing on the deployment of thousands of troops to support Moscow's war in Ukraine. The visit aims to strengthen Japan's support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion and explore potential further sanctions against Moscow.
One of the key concerns on the agenda is the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. According to intelligence assessments from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine, up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia as part of a significant defense treaty between the two countries. Recent reports indicated that Ukrainian and North Korean troops were involved in small-scale fighting in Russia's Kursk border region.
The defense treaty between North Korea and Russia mandates immediate military assistance in case of an attack on either country. The recent drone attacks on Kyiv by Russia have further escalated tensions in the region. Ukrainian air defenses successfully neutralized a number of drones, preventing casualties and minimizing damage to residential buildings and infrastructure in Kyiv's Obolon district.
Reports from the Ukrainian air force indicated that Russia launched 83 Shahed drones in the early hours of Saturday, with Ukrainian forces managing to shoot down 55 of them. Russia claimed to have destroyed 35 Ukrainian drones in various regions, including the western Kursk and Bryansk regions.
Japan's foreign minister's visit underscores the international concern over the conflict in Ukraine and the need for diplomatic efforts to address the escalating situation. The ongoing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia adds a new dimension to the conflict, raising further challenges for regional stability.
For more updates on the war in Ukraine, follow AP's coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
