The realities of war are once again dictating the course of global politics. This week, a powerful image reverberated across the world — Russian President Vladimir Putin standing on a stage with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The event underscored a key development: the war in Ukraine has brought Putin closer to both China and Iran, cementing a new axis of cooperation that is reshaping global alliances.
Yet, as Russia grapples with a costly and prolonged war, another unexpected alliance has emerged as a vital lifeline for the Kremlin — an alliance with North Korea, a regime that has now become crucial to Putin’s strategy. In what is seen as a new phase in the conflict, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is reportedly sending thousands of troops to Russia, potentially shifting the dynamics of the war and intensifying the global stakes.
According to U.S. intelligence reports, North Korea has begun sending troops to support Russia’s efforts in Ukraine, with an estimated 3,000 soldiers already training in Russia’s far east. These forces could soon find themselves on the front lines, engaging directly with Ukrainian troops. While the numbers may seem small compared to the massive scale of the war, with hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides, the potential impact of North Korean forces should not be underestimated.
North Korea’s army is one of the largest in the world, with over a million soldiers in its ranks. If this initial deployment proves successful, it opens the door for further military involvement from Pyongyang, a development that could allow Russia to reorganize its forces and continue its offensive. The psychological impact of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russians could also add new pressure on the already exhausted Ukrainian military.
U.S. officials have expressed alarm over this development. “I am very concerned,” James Stavridis, a retired U.S. Navy admiral and the former supreme commander of NATO forces, said in an interview. “It’s a real boost for the Russians. And I can assure you, those will be well-trained, capable North Koreans.”
For Russia, the alliance with North Korea offers more than just manpower. It is also a symbolic gesture, signaling to the world that Russia can continue to draw on international support despite the West’s efforts to isolate it. Putin, initially evasive when asked about the presence of North Korean troops, eventually pointed to a new strategic agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang, allowing both countries to offer mutual protection. “We are in contact with our North Korean friends. We’ll see how that process develops,” Putin remarked, brushing aside concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict.
The implications of North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine war extend far beyond Europe. The war is now effectively broadening to include Asia, raising concerns among regional powers about the possible consequences. This week, South Korea took a strong stance, summoning the Russian ambassador in Seoul to demand the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops from Russia. South Korea’s vice foreign minister, Kim Hong-kyun, warned the ambassador, Georgiy Zinoviev, that Seoul would “respond with all measures available” if North Korea continued its involvement in the conflict.
The participation of North Korean troops introduces new variables into the already complex calculus of the war. How will South Korea respond if its northern neighbor’s soldiers are killed in combat with NATO-backed Ukrainian forces? What steps will the U.S. take to support its ally in the region? And most alarmingly, how will Kim Jong Un, known for his unpredictable leadership style, react to the deaths of his soldiers on a foreign battlefield?
This situation could also lead other Asian nations to reconsider their positions. Countries that have thus far tried to maintain a neutral stance may now find themselves pressured to pick sides, as the conflict inches closer to their borders. China, as North Korea’s closest ally and Russia’s key partner, will play a central role in shaping the regional response to these developments.
As Russia seeks to strengthen its alliances and resist Western sanctions, the impact of the Ukraine war on other major global players cannot be ignored. This week’s BRICS summit, held in the eastern Russian city of Kazan, brought together leaders from Brazil, India, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, all of whom have maintained varying degrees of neutrality in the war.
BRICS, an economic bloc that accounts for 41.1% of the world’s population and 37.3% of its gross domestic product, has become a critical platform for countries seeking to balance their relationships between the West and the emerging axis of Russia, China, and Iran. Yet, as the war in Ukraine drags on and conflicts in the Middle East escalate, these nations may find it increasingly difficult to walk that fine line.
Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira, speaking at the summit, reflected this cautious approach. “We are a partner of the United States and a partner of other countries, too,” he said. When asked whether he had discussed with Putin the risks of foreign troops entering the conflict, Vieira demurred. “I never heard about that before. He didn’t tell me about it. I don’t know.”
This evasiveness highlights the growing dilemma facing nations that seek to maintain trade and security relationships with both the West and Russia. As Putin looks to solidify his standing on the world stage, the presence of North Korean soldiers and the intensifying ties between Russia, China, and Iran are likely to test the diplomatic balancing acts of countries like Brazil, India, and South Africa, which have significant stakes in maintaining economic stability and avoiding alienation from either side of the conflict.
On the domestic front, Putin faces increasing pressure. While his government has effectively suppressed dissent and controlled the narrative surrounding the war, cracks are beginning to show. Independent polling, though rare and often unreliable in Russia, suggests that while most Russians do not want to lose the war in Ukraine, there is little appetite for continued conflict.
In Kazan, where Putin hosted this week’s summit, a group of young Russians expressed a sentiment that seems to resonate with many across the country. Arseny, Danil, and Bulat, all 18-year-olds, shared that they had a 22-year-old friend who had volunteered to fight in Ukraine and had been injured. Yet, when asked about their views on the war, they hesitated to engage. “We are Russians,” Danil said simply. “We love everybody.” Like many Russians who speak to the media, they declined to share their last names, wary of potential repercussions.
For Putin, this growing ambivalence at home could pose a significant challenge. While his government has been able to maintain public support for the war thus far, there are signs that this support may be waning. The loss of Russian lives, the economic toll of the war, and the increasing isolation from the West are all weighing on the Russian populace. This discontent may be one reason why Putin is seeking external military support from North Korea, rather than relying solely on his own people to fill the ranks.
As the war in Ukraine grinds on with no clear end in sight, the global ramifications continue to grow. The entry of North Korean troops into the conflict represents a new and troubling escalation, one that could have far-reaching consequences not just for Ukraine and Russia, but for the entire world. It remains to be seen how other countries will respond, and whether this new axis of cooperation between Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran will hold.
For Putin, this week’s summit was a critical moment, an opportunity to project himself as a global leader undeterred by Western backlash. Yet, as the war drags on and new players enter the battlefield, the risks of further escalation grow. Solving one problem — in this case, Russia’s manpower shortages — may create new challenges, including the potential for an even wider conflict.
