Kim Jong Un’s sending of soldiers to Russia complicates Putin’s BRICS summit

The number of North Korean forces so far is small, at least 3,000, the US says, compared with the hundreds of thousands the West estimates have been killed in Ukraine on both sides. But they could allow Russia to reorganize and move forward, and if it works, North Korea can send more. It has an army of millions of men.

Putin did not deny that North Korea was sending soldiers to Russia and initially resorted to sarcasm when asked about it by NBC News.

He then referred to Russia’s new strategic agreement with North Korea, which allows the countries to protect each other.

“We are in contact with our North Korean friends. We will see how this process develops,” he said.

Earlier, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the reports were “fake and exaggerated,” local media reported.

“I’m very concerned,” James Stavridis, a retired U.S. Navy admiral and former commander in chief of NATO forces, told MSNBC on Wednesday. “This is a real boost for the Russians. And I can assure you that they will be well-trained, capable North Koreans.”

And the North Korean personnel could also have a psychological impact on the already beleaguered Ukrainian forces, because Russia’s implicit message is: “We can keep fighting for a long time.”

All of this can change the way of thinking in other countries too.

The war is actually spreading to Asia. Which other leaders might decide to send their troops into play? And when a North Korean soldier is killed with NATO weapons, how does the often unpredictable Kim react?

This week, South Korea summoned Russia’s ambassador and called for the “immediate withdrawal” of North Korean troops from Russia. In a meeting with Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev, South Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun warned that Seoul would “respond with all available measures.”

The countries that stand between Russia and the West could feel further political influence.

Joining Putin, Xi and Pezeshkian on stage this week were heads of state from countries such as Brazil, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and India. They are all trade and/or security partners of the USA. They are also members of the group known as BRICS – representing 41.1% of the world’s population and 37.3% of gross domestic product – which met for its annual summit in the eastern Russian city of Kazan.

As conflicts escalate in Ukraine and the Middle East, following this neutral line is becoming increasingly difficult.

“We are a partner of the United States and also a partner of other countries,” Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said in an interview at the meeting.

When asked whether he had mentioned to Putin the danger of sending troops from another country to fight against Ukraine, he replied: “I have never heard of that. He didn’t tell me anything about it. I don’t know it.”

Today many ordinary Russians say they want peace.