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fullscreen Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Photo: Lise Åserud/NTB/TT
The West does not respond strongly enough to North Korean soldiers being prepared for battle in Ukraine, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj during an interview with TT in Reykjavik.
– It is dangerous, he says.
According to Zelensky, who refers to recent Ukrainian intelligence, around 3,000 North Korean soldiers are already in Russia. They are expected to eventually become more.
– Around 12,000 North Korean soldiers, Zelenskyy says, referring to Ukrainian intelligence.
During an interview with TT together with other Nordic media, Zelenskyj compares the situation to when Russia occupied the Crimean peninsula ten years ago and that, according to Zelenskyj, it was possible because the West was silent.
– Nobody wanted to do anything. I don’t know why, but everyone was afraid of an escalation of the situation.
– So Putin tested once with Crimea and understood that he could continue, and then with Donbass, which was occupied. And eight years ago he started the full-scale war, says Zelensky.
It is a more frustrated and angry Ukrainian president than the one usually seen at press meetings with world leaders.
– North Korean soldiers are already on Russian territory and are already preparing for battle. We are in the middle of this war and not just one country is against us. I consider it very dangerous. It has opened a new chapter in the war.
During his meetings with the Nordic prime ministers, Zelenskyj has also mentioned that he wants to see sharper action from the US, NATO and Western partners.
– We have had some reactions, but they are not strong enough. That is why Putin is testing his way, he says.