North Korea, which has been accused of illegally supplying arms to Russia, said today that $8 billion in US military aid to Ukraine was a “unbelievable mistake” and playing with fire against the nuclear superpower Russia, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
US President Joe Biden announced the new aid while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was visiting Washington to help Kiev defend itself, including with longer-range weapons that will upgrade its ability to strike at Russia from safer distances.
Kim Yo-chen, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said Washington was escalating the Ukrainian conflict and bringing all of Europe to the brink of nuclear war.
„The US and the West should not reject or underestimate Russia's serious warning,” Kim Yo-chen said in a statement published by the state news agency KCTA.
„Can the US and the West really deal with the consequences while recklessly playing with fire against Russia, which is a nuclear superpower?", Kim asked rhetorically.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that he may use nuclear weapons if Russia is hit by missiles, and would view any attack backed by nuclear power as a joint attack.
Helping Zelensky continue his military adventure is a dangerous and irresponsible gamble, and announcing the new $8 billion in military aid was “an incredible mistake and a stupid thing to do," Kim said.
Over the past year, North Korea and Russia have impressively improved their ties. Their leaders met twice and agreed on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” which includes a commitment to mutual defense.
Since last September, North Korea has sent at least 16,500 containers of weapons to Russia, and Russia has fired missiles from those shipments at Ukraine, the United States said.
Both North Korea and Russia deny engaging in illegal arms trade.