The United States will lift targeting restrictions on Kiev if North Korean soldiers participate in the war in Ukraine, the Pentagon announced on Monday.
The warning follows NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's earlier confirmation of Western intelligence reports indicating Pyongyang has sent at least 10,000 combat personnel to Russia, some of whom are already situated in the volatile Kursk region.
The decision from the White House is likely to be supported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has long called for the removal of NATO’s battlefield limitations on his military. He contends that conducting strikes deeper into Russian territory is essential to counter the tactical gains achieved by Moscow in recent months. In an effort not to escalate the hostilities with the Kremlin, many donor nations have permitted their munitions to be used only against locations within Ukraine's historical borders.
Zelensky has specifically highlighted the Franco-British air-launched Storm Shadow cruise missile and the American ground-launched ATACMS system as two ordnance types he hopes to see used in the endeavor.
Germany has decided not to supply its long-range TAURUS missiles to aid in the conflict, citing similar concerns.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has frequently cautioned Kiev’s allies of severe consequences if they permit their equipment to be used directly against his country, including the potential for a nuclear response.
U.S. Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken plan to discuss North Korea’s actions with their South Korean counterparts during meetings in Washington later this week.
Related Story: Kiev Reports North Korean Soldiers are in Russia Preparing to Join War
