Putin Threatens to Arm North Korea, Escalating Tension With West Over Ukraine

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia issued a direct warning to the United States and its allies, stating that he is prepared to arm North Korea if they continue to supply Kyiv with advanced weapons that have targeted Russian territory. This move raises the stakes for Western powers supporting Ukraine.

Putin made this threat during discussions with reporters while traveling late Thursday in Vietnam, before returning to Russia after visits to North Korea and Vietnam. He had previously hinted at a similar threat in Pyongyang, where he renewed a Cold War-era defense pact with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This pact obligates each country to provide military support to the other in the event of an attack.

The Russian president justified his threat to arm Pyongyang, a violation of UN sanctions, as a response to recent decisions by the US and its allies to allow Ukraine to carry out strikes on Russian territory using their weapons. Although the White House permitted this last month, it maintained a ban on longer-range attacks deeper into the country with US weapons.

Putin warned that those supplying weapons to Ukraine may face consequences, suggesting that North Korea could potentially sell Russian arms to other anti-US actors worldwide.

While Putin did not specify which weapons he would provide to North Korea, Kim is focused on enhancing his arsenal of nuclear warheads, missiles, submarines, and satellites — areas where Russia possesses advanced technology.

The Russian leader’s visit to Pyongyang highlighted how the conflict in Ukraine has become the cornerstone of his foreign policy, overshadowing other longstanding priorities pursued by the Kremlin. Reports indicate that North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and munitions containers to assist in the war against Ukraine, helping Putin overcome ammunition shortages. Both Russia and North Korea have denied any exchange of arms, which would breach UN sanctions.

Previously, Russia had supported UN efforts to curb North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs by passing resolutions at the Security Council to limit the regime’s access to arms, technology, and resources. However, Putin has now shifted his stance, advocating for the removal of sanctions he once endorsed. This change is driven by his desire to increase the cost to the US of supporting Ukraine and Russia’s need for North Korea’s vast conventional ammunition stores for use in combat.

Putin’s revival of the mutual defense pact with North Korea and his hint at arming Kim’s regime have raised concerns in South Korea and Japan, where numerous American troops are stationed on US bases. South Korean officials are considering providing military support to Ukraine in response to Putin’s threats.

The Russian president cautioned against such a decision, warning that it would be a significant mistake with potential repercussions that would not please the current leadership of South Korea. He clarified that the mutual defense pact only calls for Russia’s military involvement in the event of aggression against North Korea, and South Korea has no intention of initiating such an attack.

Putin criticized the sanctions on North Korea, comparing them to the Nazi siege of Leningrad during World War II, which resulted in the death of his infant brother. He called for a reevaluation of these sanctions, particularly those related to labor migration, as North Korean families struggle to earn a living.

Furthermore, Putin recently proposed conditions to end the war in Ukraine, including a ceasefire and talks if Kyiv withdrew troops from disputed regions and abandoned its NATO aspirations. Ukraine and its allies rejected this proposal, viewing it as a demand for capitulation rather than a sincere effort to negotiate.

The Russian leader and his top officials have urged the West to consider the offer seriously, warning of harsher terms and worsening conditions on the battlefield. Putin also mentioned the possibility of revising Russia’s nuclear doctrine in response to new Western devices that lower the threshold for nuclear use.

Putin’s trip to Pyongyang followed his orders for troops to practice using tactical nuclear weapons in response to threats from Western nations. He has repeatedly cautioned against seeking Moscow’s strategic defeat through the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the potential consequences for Russian statehood.

In conclusion, Putin’s recent actions and statements underscore the escalating tensions between Russia and the West, particularly concerning the conflict in Ukraine and the potential involvement of North Korea.