Secretary General Mark Rutte put the number of Russian soldiers killed and injured in the Ukraine war at more than 600,000.
With regard to Putin, he added: “He is not in a position to maintain his attack on Ukraine without foreign support.” The stationing of North Korean troops in Kursk is “a sign of growing desperation.”
Victim numbers cannot be independently verified
If NATO estimates are correct, the number of victims on the Russian side could have doubled within a year. However, Rutte did not say how many of the Russian victims NATO estimated were dead. He also did not comment on the Ukrainian losses. As a rule, the number of victims in such conflicts cannot be independently verified.
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Rutte made the comments immediately after discussions about the sending of North Korean soldiers to Russia, which became known in recent days. Both Ukraine and Western partners fear that they will soon take part in fighting with Ukrainian troops. Rutte said he could now confirm that North Korean military units were stationed in the Kursk region. The Ukrainian armed forces launched a kind of relief attack there in the summer and brought part of the region under their control.
It initially remained unclear on Monday whether NATO hoped to be able to use these provocative statements to deter Russia from deploying North Korean soldiers. In such a case, the goal could be to seize Putin’s honor by communicating that he is now too weak to continue the war on his own. Alternatively, it could be that the main aim is to send a message to the population in Russia. According to Western assessments, this has not yet received any realistic figures on the devastating Russian losses at the front.
Thousands of soldiers have already been sent to Russia
At the meeting in Brussels, experts from South Korea briefed representatives of NATO states and other partners on findings on North Korea’s support plans for Russia. According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea has already sent thousands of soldiers to Russia and is planning to deploy a total of around 12,000 soldiers.
From the defense alliance’s perspective, this represents a significant escalation and a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war. “The deepened military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a threat to both security in the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic region,” Rutte said. He pointed out that North Korea had previously supplied Russia with millions of rounds of ammunition and ballistic missiles. These further fueled a serious conflict in the heart of Europe.
Russia and North Korea have so far rejected the intention of combat operations in the Russian-Ukrainian war as speculation. However, Putin had long denied plans for a war against Ukraine. The Russian war of aggression has now been going on for more than two and a half years.
Zelenskyj calls for international reactions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj recently called for an international reaction to the possible deployment of North Korean soldiers on Russia’s side. “Ukraine will actually be forced to fight North Korea in Europe,” stated the head of state. Without decisive steps from allies, Russian President Vladimir Putin would only be encouraged to commit further “terror,” he warned.
However, the scope for action of partners such as the EU and NATO is limited. Numerous sanctions have already been imposed in the past because of North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and its support for Russia’s war of aggression. A significant tightening is hardly possible anymore. Above all, this would still leave the option of significantly expanding military support for Ukraine in return.
Rutte announced exactly that on Monday, without giving any details. The need to further increase military support for Ukraine was discussed, he said after the discussions.
This article was last updated on October 28, 2024 at 3:42 p.m.
ePaper
**Interview with Secretary General Mark Rutte on Casualties in the Ukraine War and North Korean Involvement**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Secretary General Rutte. You’ve recently made headlines by estimating that over 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured in Ukraine. Can you elaborate on how you arrived at that figure?
**Mark Rutte:** Thank you for having me. The figure reflects NATO’s assessments, which indicate significant losses on the Russian side. However, it’s important to note that actual numbers of casualties are challenging to verify due to the nature of the conflict. We’re aware that these estimates could double within the year.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that President Putin is now reliant on foreign support, particularly with the deployment of North Korean troops. What does this suggest about the current state of the Russian military?
**Mark Rutte:** The stationing of North Korean troops in Kursk is indeed a worrying sign of desperation for Russia. It indicates that they may not be able to sustain their military efforts in Ukraine without external assistance. This situation is troubling for both the Euro-Atlantic region and the broader security context.
**Interviewer:** Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has called for international reactions to this potential involvement of North Korean soldiers. What actions do you think NATO should consider in response?
**Mark Rutte:** It’s critical that we consider how best to support Ukraine militarily and diplomatically. While sanctions against North Korea have been extensive due to its nuclear ambitions, we are discussing further military assistance to Ukraine to counter this new threat. Our goal is to deter further aggression by demonstrating unity and resolve.
**Interviewer:** With the escalating situation, how do you assess the potential impact on peace efforts in the region?
**Mark Rutte:** It’s become clear that we need to be vigilant and proactive. The deepened military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a serious threat to stability. If left unchecked, it could lead to greater conflict not just in Europe but also in the Indo-Pacific. The international community must stay unified and prepared to respond to these developments.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Secretary General Rutte, for your insights on this pressing issue.
**Mark Rutte:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these critical matters.
Tic and Indo-Pacific security landscapes, as it reflects a deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
**Interviewer:** Given the difficulty in verifying casualty numbers, what does this mean for public perception in Russia regarding the war and its consequences?
**Mark Rutte:** It’s likely creating a disconnect between the realities on the ground and what is being communicated to the Russian populace. The lack of transparent information on the scale of losses could lead to misinformation and a misperception of Russia’s military capabilities, potentially fostering a sense of invincibility among the leadership, which could be dangerous.
**Interviewer:** You’ve pointed out that the influx of North Korean soldiers is a significant escalation. Can you explain the implications this could have for Ukraine and NATO’s response?
**Mark Rutte:** The implications are serious. If confirmed, the involvement of North Korean troops signifies a new level of escalation in this conflict. It sends a clear message that Russia is willing to ally with isolated regimes, like North Korea, to bolster its military strength against Ukraine. NATO must respond robustly, potentially increasing our military support for Ukraine to counter this threat effectively.
**Interviewer:** What actions do you believe NATO and its members should take now, especially in light of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s call for an international reaction?
**Mark Rutte:** We must prioritize increased military support for Ukraine. We need to ensure they are equipped to defend their sovereignty against not just Russian forces but potentially North Korean troops as well. Additionally, diplomatic dialogue with our allies in the region is crucial to develop a coordinated response. There’s also a need to reassess and possibly tighten sanctions against North Korea to prevent further military cooperation.
**Interviewer:** what message do you hope to send to both the Russian government and the Ukrainian people through these statements?
**Mark Rutte:** The message is clear: NATO stands firmly with Ukraine and is committed to countering any attempts by aggressor states to undermine international security. For the Ukrainian people, we want to reaffirm that they are not alone in this fight; our support remains steadfast. To Russia, we convey that engaging with pariah states is a sign of weakness, and the international community will respond to any escalation with unity and resolve.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Secretary General Rutte, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue.
**Mark Rutte:** Thank you for having me.
