North Korea sends new troops to Russian frontline, rising tensions

Kim Jong-un deploys soldiers to the Kursk region. Rubio urges Europe to join deterrence against Russia as Trump and Zelensky prepare to sign crucial rare earths deal

North Korea has decided to further strengthen its engagement alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine. According to South Korean intelligence, Kim Jong-un has sent new troops to be deployed on the front lines in Russia’s Kursk region. North Korean forces had been stationary for about a month, but since the first week of February they have been deployed to the area again. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed that the number of troops involved is still under review.

In mid-January, South Korean intelligence had already disclosed that about 300 North Korean soldiers had been killed and another 2,700 wounded in fighting in the area. Since last year, Kim Jong-un has provided thousands of soldiers to support the Russian offensive, and an additional 1,000 to 3,000 soldiers arrived in Kursk between January and February.

This escalation comes as the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has called for greater European involvement in deterrence against Russia in Ukraine. In an interview with Fox News, Rubio stressed that the U.S. is an important partner with Ukraine, but reiterated that “Europe must actively participate in these security guarantees.”

Meanwhile, Rubio discussed talks with the Russians and the possibility of ending the war. According to the Secretary of State, President Donald Trump is leading these negotiations to achieve lasting peace. “Trump wants to be a peacemaker,” Rubio said, stressing that the president is the only leader who can convince Vladimir Putin to seek peace.

Rubio also highlighted the importance of the rare earths agreement between the United States and Ukraine, which will be signed tomorrow by Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. This agreement will give the United States access to Ukrainian mineral resources, believed to be compensation for the $350 billion in economic support provided to Kiev during the conflict.

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