Photo : Sputnik / Alexander Kazakov
Photo : Sputnik / Alexander Kazakov
By Advik S Mohan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 25 October, an article in Axios informed Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine had warned North Korean troops could be present in combat zones in Ukraine within days. Zelenskyy informed through a tweet on X that North Korean troops could be deployed as early as 27 and 28 October. Additionally, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine informed about 12,000 North Korean troops were present in Russia already.
On 25 October, an article in The Korea Times informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Korea had stated any troop dispatch to Ukraine would be in line with international law. Kim Jong-gyu, the Vice Foreign Minister stated any action carried out would be in line with international law, despite forces describing it as illegal. However, Kim did not confirm whether North Korean troops were fighting in Ukraine, stating that was under the jurisdiction of the North Korean defence ministry. The comment by North Korea comes after Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia declined to deny reports about North Korean troops fighting.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 25 October, an article in RT informed Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia had stated the Government of the Russian Federation was ready for a negotiated compromise with the Government of Ukraine to end the conflict. However, Putin informed that any outcome needed to be favourable to Russia. He also informed the Russian government was in favour of accepting compromises, if they were rational towards Russia. According to Putin, the unwillingness of the Ukrainian government to negotiate hampered any potential peace discussions. The Russian President also informed Russia had received a proposal from the Government of Türkiye to discuss a potential peace deal.
On 25 October, an article in RT informed the Bank of Russia had increased its key interest rate by 200 basis points to a record high of 21 per cent. The Bank gave the persistence of inflation as the reason for the interest rate increase, which is part of a monetary tightening campaign followed by the Bank. The central bank also informed that inflation was higher than the previous forecast of 6.5-7 per cent, and consumer prices increased by 9.8 per cent in the past month. Additionally, the Bank informed it expected inflation to stand at 8.0-8.5 per cent this year, higher than the target of four per cent. According to the Bank, a wider budget deficit and additional budget expenditures were responsible for the increase in inflation. The Bank also informed additional monetary tightening was required to ensure inflation was able to remain within the target of four per cent.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 25 October, an article in Alarabiya News informed the Federal Government of Germany had stated the deployment of North Korean troops in Ukraine by Russia would be a clear escalation. Kathrin Deschauer, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany urged North Korea to refrain from sending troops. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor stated the development was worrying. According to Scholz, the deployment of North Korean troops showed Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia was facing difficulties during the war.
On 25 October, an article in swissinfo.ch informed Boris Pistorius, the Minister of Defence of Germany wanted to develop an advanced version of the Taurus cruise missile known as Taurus Neo. An anonymous source from the German Parliament informed Pistorius wanted to buy 600 of the Taurus missile advanced versions. The source informed the ruling government in Germany supported the Taurus purchase, making its implementation likely despite a tight budget. However, the Taurus project is only listed as an option in the 2025 budget documents at present. The magazine Der Spiegel informed this was because Pistorius is yet to secure the EUR 350 million required for the project. Due to this, the first deliveries of the Taurus Neo are unlikely before 2029.
References
Ivana Saric, “Ukraine warns Russia could send North Korean troops to combat zones within days,” Axios, 25 October 2024
“N. Korea says troop dispatch to Russia, if true, falls in line with int’l law,” The Korea Times, 25 October 2024
“Russian central bank hikes key rate to record level,” RT, 25 October 2024
“Russia ready for ‘rational compromise’ with Ukraine,” RT, 25 October 2024
“Germany warns N. Korean troops in Ukraine could be ‘clear escalation’,” Alarabiya News, 25 October 2024