Oct 17, 2024 - World

Russia-Ukraine would turn into "world war" with North Korean troops, Zelensky warns

April Rubin

Wearing a black shirt, Zelensky speaks into a microphone at a lectern. — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to the media during a press conference during the European Council at Batiment Europa on Oct. 17 in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Thursday that 10,000 North Korean troops are being readied to join Russian forces in their fight against Ukraine, multiple outlets reported.

Why it matters: Zelensky warned that North Korea's involvement risks turning the conflict into a "world war."

State of play: Zelensky met Thursday with European Union leaders and NATO defense ministers to discuss his "victory plan" to end the war.

The plan includes an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO and granting the country permission to use longer-range missiles against Russia.
"This plan doesn't depend on Russian will, only on the will of our partners," Zelensky said.

Zoom in: NATO has not confirmed that thousands of North Korean troops are preparing to join the war, Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Thursday.

He did say, though, that Russia has already received support from North Korea.

Between the lines: In a podcast interview released on Thursday, former President Trump blamed Zelensky for allowing the war to start, even though Russia invaded Ukraine, the Washington Post reported.

"That war is a loser," the GOP presidential nominee said.

Go deeper: Putin: West risks war with Russia if Ukraine gets long-range weapons approval

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Russia-Ukraine would turn into "world war" with North Korean troops, Zelensky warns

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