US responds to reports of North Korean soldiers in Russia; China affirms stance on Ukraine

US President Joe Biden expressed concern about reports that North Korea has deployed a significant force to western Russia to join the fighting in its conflict with Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks in Lima, Peru, on November 16. (Source: The New York Times)

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed on November 16 that during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima, Peru, US President Joe Biden expressed concern about information about North Korean soldiers participating in fighting in Russia's Kursk province.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting between the US and Chinese leaders, Mr. Sullivan stated: "The two leaders of course also discussed areas of difference and tension in the bilateral relationship, including US concerns about China's support for Russia's defense industry.

In this context, President Biden once again expressed concern about reports that North Korea has deployed a significant force to western Russia to participate in combat in the conflict with Ukraine."

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed that information about China's dissatisfaction with close cooperation between Russia and North Korea was aimed at causing division between Moscow and Beijing.

The US State Department accused 10,000 North Korean soldiers of participating in combat operations alongside the Russian army in Kursk province.

Meanwhile, Moscow pointed out that Washington has no evidence to confirm the presence of North Korean soldiers in the special military operation.

Pyongyang has also rejected accusations by the US and its allies that the Northeast Asian nation is sending troops to Russia.

Also during the meeting with President Biden, President Xi Jinping affirmed that China's stance on the Ukraine issue has always been fair and upright.

According to Xi Jinping, Beijing is conducting shuttle diplomacy and conciliation to promote peace talks, making every effort for peace and aiming for de-escalation.

The leader also stressed that China will not allow conflict and instability to occur on the Korean peninsula and will not sit idly by when its strategic security and core interests are threatened.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Japan and South Korea on November 16 expressed "deep concern" over recent developments in military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, and agreed to cooperate bilaterally and trilaterally with the United States to resolve the issue.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol also confirmed at a summit meeting during their visit to Peru on the sidelines of the APEC Summit that the two countries will promote comprehensive bilateral relations, the Japanese government said.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/my-phan-ung-truoc-thong-tin-linh-trieu-tien-tai-nga-trung-quoc-khang-dinh-lap-truong-ve-ukraine-294058.html