Russia’s deepening military alliance with North Korea signals a blatant disregard for a comprehensive and lasting peace, despite Moscow’s stated willingness to negotiate, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell stated on October 24.
Commenting Russia’s deepening military cooperation with the North Korea Borrell said that “Despite its alleged readiness to negotiate, Russia is not sincerely interested in a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.”
He said that the European Union is concerned by reports showing that North Korea is deploying troops to support Russia’s unlawful war against Ukraine.
“Such an action would represent a significant violation of international law and the core principles of the UN Charter. This clearly shows Russia’s role in fueling instability and escalation both regionally and worldwide.
Russia is escalating the war and seeking support from international actors that severely compromise global peace and stability,” the statement reads.
Borrell condemned Moscow’s shift regarding North Korea’s denuclearization, citing remarks from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, which imply Russia’s reluctance to honor its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
“By abandoning its role in preventing nuclear proliferation, Russia violates numerous UN Security Council resolutions it once supported,” Borrell said, adding that Russia’s actions compromise its responsibilities as a Security Council member and UN participant.
“North Korea can never attain the status of a nuclear weapon state under the NPT,” Borrell concluded.
The EU noted that North Korea’s continued support for Russia’s war in Ukraine shows the connection between European and Indo-Pacific security.
Earlier, Josep Borrell called for allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory, saying that the West needs to “…Let Ukraine target the archers, not just the arrows!”
