In the UN Security Council on Wednesday, the Russian UN ambassador Vasilij Nebenzia accused the US and the UK of disinformation. He said that Russia‘s military cooperation with North Korea follows international law.
– These cases have only one thing in common: they are only allegations, and in the absence of any convincing evidence, the purpose is only to remove the focus from the real problems that pose a threat to international peace and security, said Nebenzia.
He spoke after the US had said North Korea had sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia. According to South Korea, 3,000 of them have already been deployed on the Russian side in the war against Ukraine.
Other members of the Security Council expressed concern. Britain’s UN ambassador Barbara Woodward warned of the benefits that North Korea could get from Russia in exchange for sending troops to the country. It increases the risk of further tension on the Korean Peninsula, and it undermines security in the Pacific region, she stated.
France’s UN ambassador Nicolas de Riviere said that it would be seen as a hostile act with direct consequences for Europe’s security, international peace and security, if North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia.
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Europe, Miroslav Jenca, says that the UN is following developments, but that the UN cannot verify or confirm the claims.
#Russia #reports #North #Korean #soldiers #allegations
**Interview with Vasilij Nebenzia, Russian UN Ambassador**
**Interviewer:** Ambassador Nebenzia, during your address at the UN Security Council, you mentioned that the accusations against Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea are merely allegations without convincing evidence. Can you elaborate on why you believe these claims are intended to distract from more pressing international issues?
**Vasilij Nebenzia:** Certainly. The allegations put forth by the US and the UK seem to lack substantial proof, and they only serve to shift the focus away from the real threats to international peace and security. It is crucial to address concrete issues rather than engage in unfounded accusations.
**Interviewer:** You claim that Russia’s cooperation with North Korea follows international law. How do you respond to the concerns raised by other UN members, particularly regarding the potential destabilization of the Korean Peninsula and the Pacific region?
**Vasilij Nebenzia:** Russia’s actions are fully compliant with international law. The concerns mentioned by other ambassadors seem to exaggerate the situation. We must remember that military cooperation is not inherently destabilizing; rather, the underlying political context matters.
**Interviewer:** British Ambassador Barbara Woodward warned that North Korea’s troop deployment could escalate tensions in the Pacific. What do you say to those who argue that this military partnership may lead to increased hostility in the region?
**Vasilij Nebenzia:** While there is always a potential for tension, we believe that dialogue and cooperation can pave the way for addressable solutions. The real escalation comes from external influences that exert pressure on countries rather than from local partnerships.
**Interviewer:** The UN Under-Secretary-General mentioned that the UN is monitoring developments but cannot confirm claims about troop movements. Given this uncertainty, how do you see the narrative around Russia and North Korea evolving in the coming weeks?
**Vasilij Nebenzia:** It’s essential to continue monitoring these developments objectively. I anticipate that as more information becomes available, we’ll witness a more nuanced conversation about Russia-North Korea cooperation.
**Interviewer:** As a closing thought, how do you believe international perceptions of Russia’s actions will shift if solid evidence of troop deployment is presented, or if no such evidence emerges?
**Vasilij Nebenzia:** I believe perceptions will ultimately reflect the truth that emerges from transparent dialogue and factual developments. If evidence materializes, it must be critically examined; if not, this situation will reveal the intentions behind these accusations.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ambassador Nebenzia, for sharing your insights. Given the complexities of international relations, how should readers navigate the conflicting narratives surrounding military partnerships such as this? What questions does this raise about the nature of modern diplomacy and security in our world today?
