No new limits on Ukraine's use of US arms if North Korea joins Russia's fight, Pentagon says

The military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is raising alarm among Western nations due to its potential to escalate the Ukraine conflict. The Pentagon has stated that the U.S. will not impose new restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American weapons, despite North Korean troops being deployed to support Russia. Reports indicate that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are training in eastern Russia, with some expected to move toward the Ukrainian border in the Kursk region.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that this collaboration threatens security in both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions, while President Biden has characterized the development as “very dangerous.” U.S. intelligence suggests North Korean forces may assist in combat operations against Ukraine, a reality the Kremlin initially dismissed but later acknowledged.

Ukrainian officials view this deployment as an escalation and are urging allies to respond more forcefully, with calls to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities. The situation underscores significant geopolitical implications, as both North Korea and Russia strengthen military ties amid ongoing challenges on the battlefield, prompting Ukrainian authorities to advocate for unified action against this alliance.