WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement on reports that North Korea has deployed 3,000 troops to Russia:
“North Korea’s decision to send thousands of its troops to Russia is a deeply disturbing and dangerous escalation in Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war against Ukraine. The Kim Jong-Un regime’s ongoing support for Russia’s illegal war efforts – now involving direct deployment of military personnel – paired with its relentless pursuit of illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programs, demonstrates both a reckless disregard for international law and a blatant neglect for its own people, who remain trapped in extreme poverty and subjected to grievous human rights abuses.
“By turning to those like Kim for help on the battlefield, Putin has not only revealed his growing desperation fighting Ukraine’s forces on the ground but also has reinforced his willingness to partner with the world’s most oppressive dictators and intensify an already volatile conflict. Clearly, there is no depth to which the Kremlin will not sink to achieve its goal of victory, even if that means working with rogue states and brutal despots.
“These developments continue to confirm the growing connection between transatlantic and Indo-Pacific security. The United States remains unwavering in our ongoing commitment to the safety and security of our partners and allies across the region, and will work closely with them to confront and counter North Korea’s efforts to aid Putin’s war machine. Together, we will help ensure Russia’s strategic defeat in Ukraine.”
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