Lithuania demands stronger NATO response to North Korean-Russian cooperation

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has called for NATO to respond to North Korea’s military assistance to Russia in its war against Ukraine, outlining three specific measures for the alliance’s response: long-range missile supplies, permission to strike military targets in Russia, and increased military aid, NV reports.

South Korean intelligence previously claimed that North Korea had already sent 3,000 military personnel to Russia out of a promised 10,000. According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia was expected to deploy the first North Korean troops in combat zones on 27-28 October.

According to Nausėda’s post on X, NATO should provide Ukraine with long-range missiles and permit strikes on military targets within Russian territory. The Lithuanian president emphasized that “Hesitation leads to escalation, not the other way around.”

This call comes amid growing concerns about North Korean military involvement in Russia’s war. Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov reported on 18 October that nearly 11,000 North Korean soldiers are currently training in eastern Russia for deployment against Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukraine possesses information about two North Korean military units being prepared, potentially comprising two brigades of 6,000 troops each.

A South Korean delegation will visit Ukraine this week to exchange intelligence and discuss cooperation.

The Baltic state of Lithuania has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, supplying weapons, ammunition, and armored vehicles while pushing for greater EU and NATO backing. The country allocates 0.25% of its GDP (around €190 million) annually to Ukraine’s military aid.

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