Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged for the first time that North Korean soldiers took part in fighting to recover Russian territory in the Kursk region of Ukraine. In a statement, Putin praised the North Korean soldiers for their bravery and solidarity with Russia.
The acknowledgement comes as the international community debates the terms for any ceasefire and more permanent deal to end the fighting. The US has proposed recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea and granting Russia additional Ukrainian territory occupied since its full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Ukrainian officials and Western intelligence reports have previously assessed that about 12,000 North Korean soldiers had been sent to fight in Russia. Meanwhile, Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has criticized the US proposals as “a capitulation,” saying Ukraine would not go as far as the latest American proposal.
The situation remains tense, with the Ukrainian military fiercely battling to preserve its foothold in the Kursk region. Peace talks are expected to resume, but there is no immediate plan for a conversation between Putin and US President Donald Trump. The coming week will be critical in determining whether the US can continue trying to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia has promised to continue its military operation, while the White House has urged Moscow to sign a deal and end the fighting. The international community remains divided on how to proceed with negotiations.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/28/europe/ukraine-crimea-peace-plan-north-korea-russia-intl-hnk/index.html