NATO and EU Urge China to Stop North Korea’s Help for Russia in Ukraine War

BRUSSELS, Nov 14 (Reuters) – NATO and the European Union are pressing China to help stop North Korea from supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine.

North Korea has sent up to 12,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region to assist in fighting Ukraine, according to reports from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine. In return, Russia is reportedly giving North Korea missile technology.

NATO is concerned about this growing alliance between Russia and North Korea and is urging China to use its influence over North Korea to stop the military support. China and North Korea have a long history of close relations, and China is seen as key in influencing Pyongyang.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said China should help end this cooperation, calling it a threat to Europe and Asia. He warned that the missile exchanges between Russia and North Korea pose dangers to countries like Japan, South Korea, and even the U.S.

In his recent visit to Latvia, Stoltenberg emphasized that security issues in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region should be seen as a global concern. NATO is also working with Japan, South Korea, and other countries to address these threats.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, during his visit to Japan and South Korea, also discussed North Korea’s military support to Russia. Borrell highlighted that the EU has strengthened its security partnerships with these countries, which are the first ones outside Europe.

The EU, while not a military alliance, is now more focused on global security, especially in light of the Ukraine war. Borrell said the EU must play a bigger role in global security.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in talks with NATO and EU officials, reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine and ensuring it can defend itself against Russian forces.

Both NATO and the EU are calling for China to pressure North Korea to stop aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine.