KAZAN, 23 October (BelTA) – Deploying troops of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Ukraine would be an escalation of the military conflict. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in an interview with the BBC reporter Steven Rosenberg on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan, BelTA has learned.
“Nonsense! It would be an escalation of the military conflict. Putin will never go for having to convince someone to engage armed forces of some country in the special military operation and in the conflict in Ukraine. Particularly on the frontlines. At the contact line in military parlance,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he commented on the possible presence of military personnel from the DPRK in Ukraine.
“So, the DPRK does not send its military [to Ukraine]?” the reporter asked for clarification.
“I don’t believe so. And yesterday North Koreans stated that it is guess work. Such a conversation and such negotiations have never happened. I speak on Putin’s behalf because I know his character. Russia has enough population to conduct military operations,” the president remarked.
“If [the involvement of DPRK troops in the conflict] is confirmed, will you be worried about such a situation?” Steven Rosenberg wondered.
“It would be a step towards some escalation of the conflict if someone’s armed forces, even Belarus’ were deployed at the contact line. Even if we got involved in the war, it would be a way towards escalation. Because you, Anglo-Saxons, would say right away that since an allied state is now involved in the conflict, then NATO has the right to help Ukraine. Which means NATO troops would be deployed in Ukraine. Is the variant possible? It is. Putin keeps the option in mind as well. Whether he needs it or not. But if you talk about the DPRK… Where is Korea? And where is Belarus? Putin has never raised the issue of our getting involved in this fight. Neither he, nor Shoigu nor the current Defense Minister Belousov. They have never raised the issue before us,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
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