A top Ukrainian presidential aide on Wednesday accused North Korea of aiding Russia in its attacks on Ukrainian civilians, calling for stronger global isolation of both nations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership on Wednesday, solidifying military and political ties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mykhailo Podolyak, the senior aide, told AFP, “North Korea is actively supporting Russia in the military sphere and providing resources for the mass killing of Ukrainians.”
The U.S. and its allies have accused North Korea of supplying ammunition and missiles to Russia. Ukraine has reported finding North Korean munitions fragments on the battlefield.
Podolyak noted that North Korean artillery shipments are helping Russia sustain a “high intensity” of attacks, which is increasing civilian casualties.
He criticized the current international sanctions on Russia and North Korea, describing them as ineffective. “The restrictive measures imposed on Russia and North Korea are clearly insufficient. We need a more rigorous approach to true isolation,” he said.
During his state visit to Pyongyang, Putin advocated for lifting sanctions on North Korea, emphasizing that both countries are united against “US hegemony.”
