Russian senators to ratify North Korean defense pact

Russian lawmakers are set to vote Wednesday to ratify a landmark mutual defense pact with North Korea, as the West alleges that Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to support Russia in its conflict against Ukraine.

The agreement formalizes months of deepening security cooperation between the two nations, who were Communist allies throughout the Cold War.

North Korea has become one of the most vocal and important backers of Russia's full-scale offensive on Ukraine.

The West has long accused Pyongyang of supplying artillery shells and missiles to Moscow for use against Ukraine.

The latest intelligence reports, suggesting North Korea has deployed around 10,000 troops to Russia, indicate even deeper involvement in the conflict and have sparked an outcry and warnings in Seoul, Kiev, and Western capitals.

Under the strategic partnership treaty between Russia and North Korea, each country would be obligated to provide military assistance "without delay" if the other were invaded, according to statements made by their leaders when signing it in June.

"It is really a breakthrough document," Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a news conference in the North Korean capital.

He added that it provided, "among other things, for mutual assistance in case of aggression against one of the parties to this treaty."

The treaty also commits them to cooperate internationally to oppose Western sanctions and coordinate positions at the United Nations.

Putin signed the deal in June during his first trip in 24 years to North Korea, where he was welcomed by leader Kim Jong Un in a lavish ceremony.

Kim has called Putin his "closest comrade," while Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said last week that North Korea would ...