China is strongly dissatisfied with North Korea's actions - diplomat Bryza

He expressed this opinion in an interview with Antin Borkovskyi, host of the Studio West program on Espreso TV.

"Beijing is very dissatisfied with Pyongyang's actions, which, in addition to supplying weapons, is now sending military personnel to support Russia in its war with Ukraine. China is comfortable cooperating with Russia in a geostrategic way, trying to undermine the so-called international system and create challenges for the United States and its allies. China sees cooperation with Russia as a necessary price for achieving these goals, which implies a certain level of support. However, Beijing does not want to see the war expand further. Russia's war against Ukraine has clearly demonstrated that China does not want the conflict to escalate to a nuclear level and supports the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity," the diplomat said.

According to him, North Korea's participation on the side of Russia causes China serious discomfort, as it could prompt the United States and its allies in East Asia - in particular Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines - to take more decisive action to limit China's ambitions in the region.

"Thus, it is not the fear of North Korea and China joining the Russian invasion of Ukraine that is prompting the United States and its allies to allow Ukraine to use Western weapons to launch more serious strikes on Russian territory. In my opinion, such permission is likely to be granted, but first, elections must be held in the United States. If Donald Trump wins, it is unclear whether this authorization will be granted at all. However, if Kamala Harris wins, I think it is not far off, as she has clearly stated the need for lethal weapons from the United States and the importance of Ukraine's victory over Putin. But this is just my guess. In the end, I am convinced that the permission for Ukraine to use Western missiles to launch deeper strikes on Russian territory will be the result of negotiations. I am confident that we will soon discuss this in the context of President Zelenskyy's recently unveiled Victory Plan that was presented in Washington and in Europe," Matthew Bryza summarized.

Military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK

On October 4, the Kyiv Post reported that 20 soldiers were killed in a missile strike on occupied Donetsk, including six North Korean military personnel advising the Russian army.

The South Korean Defense Minister warned on October 8 that North Korea may deploy troops to Ukraine in support of Russia.

At an October 17 press conference in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Russia's plan to train 10,000 North Korean soldiers for combat in Ukraine.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, later reported that 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are training in eastern Russia, preparing for deployment to Ukraine. He added that the first unit of 2,600 soldiers is en route to Kursk, where Ukraine has established a stronghold.

Ukraine has since shared intelligence with NATO about North Korea’s military involvement and requested data from alliance members.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the participation of the North Korean military in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia would mean a “significant escalation.” 

Later, it was reported that South Korea was considering providing Ukraine with military and intelligence assistance in response to North Korea's sending its military to fight on the side of Russia.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reported that on October 23, the North Korean military was spotted in the Kursk region.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that according to intelligence, the first North Korean military would be used by Russia in combat zones on October 27-28.

On October 25, South Korea's intelligence agency announced that North Korea plans to send a second batch of its military personnel to Russia, totaling up to 10,000 people.

Later, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in the Kursk region of Russia, noting that this was “a significant escalation in the DPRK's ongoing involvement in Russia's illegal war.”

During the Ukraine-Northern Europe summit, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russian army is already using North Korean soldiers on the territory of Ukraine.