NATO and the European Union are intensifying their efforts to persuade China to prevent North Korea from continuing to send troops and other forms of support to Russia in the Ukraine conflict. According to intelligence assessments from several countries, it is estimated that up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed in the Kursk border region of Russia to confront Ukrainian forces.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed the need for China to use its influence over Pyongyang and Moscow to stop these actions, indicating that missile technology exchanges pose a direct threat not only to Europe but also to Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Rutte specifically warned about the seriousness of these actions during a visit to Latvia.
Meanwhile, it is noted that the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing increased Western activity, putting pressure on China to take action regarding North Korea. Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand have started to regularly participate in NATO meetings.
In the diplomatic realm, it is mentioned that China remains reluctant to form an anti-Western alliance with North Korea and Russia, preferring a stable security environment to address economic challenges and maintain relations with Europe and its Asian neighbors.
The head of foreign policy for the European Union, Josep Borrell, has highlighted the importance of new security and defense partnerships established with Japan and South Korea, noting that the European Union can and should become a global security provider and partner in the current geopolitical context. In this sense, Borrell has also held discussions with Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, regarding the need to address security issues globally in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
In conclusion, it is emphasized that the European Union and the United States are committed to providing support to Ukraine to confront the Russian invasion, promoting a global security scenario and pressing China to control the situation in the region.
