Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko is visiting North Korea amidst a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, where North Korean troops are supporting Russia. His ongoing efforts have aimed to bolster Russian-North Korean relations since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While Rudenko visited a monument in Pyongyang, U.S. concerns regarding North Korean troop involvement were reiterated.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko is currently visiting North Korea, as reported by the North Korean state media, KCNA. This visit occurs in the context of a recent U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Ukraine, during which numerous North Korean troops have been deployed to assist Russian military efforts.
Rudenko has played a significant role in strengthening relations between Russia and North Korea since the initiation of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Notably, he was part of the Russian delegations involved in peace negotiations with Ukraine early in the conflict.
During his visit, KCNA reported that Rudenko visited a notable monument in Pyongyang, although specific details regarding his visit were not disclosed. According to former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Dorothy Shea, over 12,000 North Korean troops have been engaged in combat against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk border area, highlighting the extent of North Korean involvement in the conflict.
Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump recently called upon Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to spare Ukrainian troops being pushed out of the Kursk region, a request to which Putin responded that he would consider honouring if the troops chose to surrender.
In summary, the visit of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko to North Korea underscores the continuing military collaboration between the two nations amidst the Ukraine conflict. Rudenko’s involvement in strengthening these ties and the reported deployment of North Korean troops reflect the broader geopolitical dynamics at play. The ongoing discussions regarding a ceasefire further complicate the situation, marking significant potential shifts in the regional balance of power.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
