Russia supports North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme in exchange for weapons and soldiers for its war against Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday.
"These developments may destabilise the Korean Peninsula and even threaten the United States," he added during a press conference in Brussels.
Rutte warned that the "illegal war in Ukraine threatens us all," highlighting the global danger posed by what he called the "increasing alignment of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran" in the conflict.
Rutte, along with many NATO European countries, is seeking to convince Donald Trump of the need to continue supporting Ukraine before his anticipated return to the White House in January.
North Korea has sent between 10,000 and 12,000 troops to Russia to aid Moscow in its war against Ukraine, which Western countries view as a "major escalation."
China has been accused of helping Moscow circumvent Western sanctions and suspected of sending drones to Russia. Iran is also accused of providing drones and missiles to Russian forces.
Rutte also reiterated his called for increased military support for Ukraine to decisively alter the course of the war. "We must provide sufficient support to change the trajectory of this conflict once and for all."
He emphasised the need to put Ukraine in a strong position so that its government can eventually negotiate with Russia.
This statement followed a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, where Rutte reiterated the call for enhanced military aid to help Ukraine defend against Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
On Tuesday, Ukraine requested at least twenty new air defence systems to protect strategic energy sites across the country.
