China urged to stop North Korea’s support for Ukraine war by NATO, EU
China urged to stop North Korea’s support for Ukraine war by NATO, EU
Robert Besser
18 Nov 2024, 14:55 GMT+10
- NATO and the European Union are intensifying diplomatic efforts to persuade China to intervene in North Korea’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine
- Reports from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence suggest that up to 12,000 North Korean troops are stationed in Russia’s Kursk region to aid Russian forces
- To counter this alliance, NATO and the EU aim to pressure China, given its historical alliance with North Korea dating back to 1949
BRUSSELS, Belgium: NATO and the European Union are intensifying diplomatic efforts to persuade China to intervene in North Korea’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Reports from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence suggest that up to 12,000 North Korean troops are stationed in Russia’s Kursk region to aid Russian forces, while Russia is reportedly providing missile technology to North Korea in return.
To counter this alliance, NATO and the EU aim to pressure China, given its historical alliance with North Korea dating back to 1949.
China’s influence over Pyongyang could be crucial in halting North Korean support for Russia. Recently, the EU established new security pacts with Japan and South Korea, signaling increased Western engagement in the Asia-Pacific region-a potential pressure point for Beijing.
In a recent Politico article, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte urged China to use its leverage to curb North Korea’s military assistance to Russia, stating, “Beijing cannot pretend to promote peace while turning a blind eye to increasing aggression.”
Rutte warned that the transfer of missile technology between Russia and North Korea presents a direct threat not only to Europe but also to Japan, South Korea, and even the U.S. mainland.
During talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Rutte underscored the need to view the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions as a unified theater of security threats. Meanwhile, China remains hesitant to form a formal alliance with Russia and North Korea, preferring stability to address economic challenges and maintain its ties with Europe and other Asian countries.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, in a blog post following his visit to Japan and South Korea, highlighted the seriousness of North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, which was a key focus during his discussions with Asian leaders.
Borrell celebrated the EU’s newly signed security and defense agreements with Japan and South Korea, marking a shift toward the EU’s role as a global security partner.
“The EU was certainly not born as a military alliance but, in the current geopolitical context, it can and must also become a global security provider and partner,” he wrote.
U.S. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia in 2024, strengthening Ukraine’s position in any potential peace negotiations.
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