President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday (October 20) that he was seeking a strong response from countries that have recognized North Korea’s increasing involvement in Russia’s more than two-and-a-half-year-old war against Ukraine.

In his late-night video address, Zelenskyy said there was ample satellite and video evidence that North Korea was sending not only equipment to Russia but also soldiers to be prepared for deployment.

“I am grateful to the leaders and representatives of states who do not close their eyes and speak candidly about this cooperation for the sake of a greater war,” he said. “We expect a normal, fair and strong response from our partners.”

Zelenskyy said greater North Korean involvement could only be harmful to everyone.

“Unfortunately, instability and threats may increase significantly after North Korea is trained for modern warfare,” he said.

“If the world remains silent now and we have to deploy soldiers from North Korea on the front lines in the same way we have to defend ourselves against (Iranian) Shahed drones, this will certainly not benefit anyone in the world and will only prolong the war . .”

North Korea’s actions, he said, meant “essentially another country entering the war against Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy last week accused North Korea of ​​deploying officers alongside Russia and preparing to send thousands of troops to help Moscow’s war effort. South Korea’s spy agency said Friday that North Korea has sent 1,500 special forces to Russia’s Far East for training.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday he could not confirm reports that North Korea has sent troops to Russia ahead of a possible deployment, but said such a move would be concerning if true. NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Thursday that there is currently no evidence of Pyongyang’s presence.

The involvement of North Korean regular troops in support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would mark a serious escalation of the war, the foreign ministers of France and Ukraine said at a joint press conference in Kiev on Saturday.