Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has criticized his Western allies for their lack of response to Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops, describing it as a “zero” reaction that could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin to escalate the war in Ukraine. In an interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS, Zelenskiy said Moscow appears to be actively negotiating with North Korea to send both engineering troops and civilians to work at Russian military factories, potentially boosting Russia’s capacity to continue the war.

Zelenskiy, who first raised the alarm about North Korean involvement on October 13, believes Putin is testing Western resolve. “Putin is checking the reaction of the West,” he said. “After all these reactions, Putin will decide and increase the contingent … The reaction that is there today is nothing, it is zero.” Western leaders have acknowledged the gravity of this new alliance, describing it as a significant escalation, but no retaliatory measures have been announced so far, frustrating Ukrainian officials.

South Korea has offered Ukraine intelligence support and may even send military monitors to observe the situation, although its commitment stops short of direct involvement. Meanwhile, Ukraine presented evidence to the U.N. Security Council, identifying three North Korean generals believed to be accompanying thousands of North Korean troops stationed in Russia to support the war effort. U.S. officials also confirmed the presence of 8,000 North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, marking a concerning development for both Ukraine and its allies.

In his remarks, Zelenskiy expressed disappointment at the lack of response from China, which has largely stayed silent on the issue despite being a global power and holding sway with North Korea. He added that Ukraine has verified intelligence indicating Russia’s discussions with Western countries about the North Korean deployment, confirming that the troops are indeed intended to participate in the war against Ukraine. This revelation underscores Zelenskiy’s concerns that inaction from Western allies may inadvertently signal to Russia that such maneuvers will go unchecked.

Zelenskiy’s pointed criticism reflects Ukraine’s growing frustration with the level of support it has received from allies at a crucial moment in the war. As Russian forces make slow but steady advances in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv’s military remains outnumbered and outgunned, challenging its ability to defend against intensifying Russian assaults. The situation is further complicated by the upcoming U.S. presidential election, which could affect the future of American support for Ukraine.

With the arrival of North Korean forces, the dynamics on the battlefield and in diplomatic circles are becoming more complex, putting pressure on Ukraine’s allies to reassess their stance and respond to this unprecedented collaboration between Russia and North Korea.