Moscow is seeking to expand its cooperation in the field of space research with North Korea in exchange for sending soldiers to help Russian forces in the war with Ukraine, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, quoted by Agence France-Presse and BTA.
"The DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is already receiving Russian military equipment and training. Today we have reason to believe that Moscow intends to share advanced space and satellite technology with Pyongyang," the head of US diplomacy said at a press conference in Seoul.
Blinken added that the US believes that Russia "may be on the verge" of the official recognition of North Korea's nuclear status.
The US Secretary of State also emphasized the strategic importance of the position of Ukrainian forces in the Russian Kursk region. He stressed that it will play an important role in any peace talks between Kiev and Moscow.
"Their position in Kursk is important because it is certainly an element that will be taken into account in any possible talks that may take place this year," Blinken said at a press conference in Seoul, part of his farewell tour that will also take him to Japan and France.
During a joint press conference with his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-jul, Blinken condemned the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea, stressing that it violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions.