EU "Deployment of Troops to North Korea Shows Russia's Desperation"

The European Union (EU) criticized on the 21st (local time) North Korea's suspected deployment of troops to Russia, calling it "a sign of Russia's serious desperation to receive any possible support amid numerous sanctions and severe isolation."

On the 18th (local time), the Ukrainian Military Strategic Communication and Information Security Center (SPRAVDI) released a video showing soldiers presumed to be North Korean lining up to receive Russian supplies.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Peter Stano, the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, referred to North Korea as an "outcast regime subject to numerous UN sanctions" in response to related questions during the regular briefing that afternoon. He said, "If reports of troops moving from North Korea to Russia are confirmed, it would represent an escalation of tensions on another level and a deepening of North Korea-Russia cooperation that disregards international norms and laws," adding, "It shows that Russia is expanding illegal activities in Ukraine and has no interest whatsoever in a peaceful resolution."

Earlier, on the 18th, the EU had stated it was "prepared to take measures including considering additional EU sanctions" following South Korea's National Intelligence Service announcement that North Korea had decided on a large-scale troop deployment to Russia.