U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said North Korean troops appear to be in Russia.
“We are seeing evidence that there are North Korean troops that have, that have gone to … Russia,” Austin told reporters in Rome on Wednesday. “What exactly they’re doing, left to be seen.”
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said North Korea was sending close to 10,000 troops to Ukraine to fight alongside Russian forces. At a press conference in Brussels, Zelensky said North Korea had sent tactical personnel as well as officers to his country and was getting ready to send 10,000 soldiers.
“But they didn’t move them to Ukraine or to Russia,” Zelensky said.
Back in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a partnership and pledged to provide mutual aid and protection against foes. North Korea has also been giving Russia artillery shells and ballistic missiles in exchange for access to aid and technology for nuclear and space programs.
Austin’s announcement comes less than two weeks out from the 2024 presidential election, which could determine whether the U.S. continues to provide aid amid the nearly three-year war between Russia and Ukraine.
Both Vice President Harris, a strong supporter of Ukraine, and former President Trump, who has insisted multiple times that he could quickly put a stop to the war if elected in November, have met with Zelensky in recent weeks. The former president highlighted his relationship with Putin, which has been under heightened scrutiny in recent weeks, during his visit with the Ukrainian leader.
“We’re going to work very much with both parties to try and get this settled,” Trump said at the time.
“We have a very good relationship, and I also have a very good relationship — as you know — with President Putin,” he added. “And I think if we win, I think we’re going to get it resolved very quickly.”
Updated at 9:05 a.m. EDT.