NATO Summit to Discuss North Korea-Russia Military Cooperation and Aid to Ukraine
The NATO summit, scheduled from July 9-11, will see discussions on the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The 32-member organization will also deliberate on providing military aid to Ukraine, which has been at war for over two years, and strengthening security relations with South Korea and Japan.
This year, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea are invited to the summit. The United States, Japan, and South Korea plan to meet on the sidelines of the event.
Key Discussions
Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, believes the Russia-North Korea relationship is problematic for NATO, Japan, and South Korea. He expects it to be a critical aspect of the summit, especially if intelligence indicates North Korea is sending military personnel to support Russia in Ukraine.
Matthew Brunner, a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, emphasized that NATO allies will discuss the implications of Russia-North Korea relations and how to address associated risks. He noted that North Korea’s involvement could impact the war in Ukraine and potentially drive a wedge between China and Russia.
Recent Developments
On June 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un signed a comprehensive partnership agreement, which includes mutual assistance in case of aggression. Putin hailed the agreement as a breakthrough covering political, trade, investment, cultural, and security spheres. He criticized joint military exercises by the United States, South Korea, and Japan as hostile towards North Korea. Kim Jong-Un praised the new alliance as pivotal in bilateral relations.
NATO’s Focus on Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that supporting Ukraine will be the organization’s most urgent task. He expects heads of state to agree on a substantial package for Ukraine, including more immediate military support and bilateral security agreements. Stoltenberg also mentioned plans to enhance ballistic missile defenses with a new Aegis Ashore base in Poland.
