The prospect of North Korean troops joining Russia in its war in Ukraine has sent shockwaves through the international community, reviving debates about how far the West should go in supporting Kyiv. The suggestion of European Union (EU) “boots on the ground” to bolster Ukraine’s defense, an idea previously floated by French President Emmanuel Macron, has resurfaced. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis recently stated that the time has come to reconsider this proposal in light of reports that thousands of North Korean soldiers could be deployed to Ukraine.
This development raises profound questions about security, geopolitics, and the potential impact on Europe, the United States, and Canada. While NATO and Western leaders are currently cautious, the entry of North Korean troops into the conflict may force a shift in strategy, prompting deeper involvement by Western powers. For the U.S. and Canada, these developments could present significant challenges, both in terms of military and diplomatic responses, as well as the broader implications for global security.
The North Korean Factor: A Geopolitical Game Changer
Reports of North Korean troops being mobilized to fight alongside Russian forces mark a new phase in the Ukraine conflict. While the information is yet to be confirmed by Western intelligence, South Korea has already begun consultations with NATO to discuss its intelligence findings. The presence of North Korean forces in Ukraine would not only complicate the military situation on the ground but would also have wide-reaching geopolitical implications.
North Korea’s involvement represents a deepening of global polarization. The regime of Kim Jong Un has long been an outlier in international politics, maintaining close ties with Moscow and Beijing while being subjected to international sanctions. Should these reports be substantiated, it would be the first time in decades that North Korean troops have been deployed in such a significant manner outside their region. For Russia, this move underscores its desperation to secure manpower without undertaking another domestic mobilization, a step that could risk further domestic unrest.
Moreover, North Korea’s military participation would escalate the conflict from a regional war in Eastern Europe to one with much broader global stakes. It would also force the international community to rethink its approach to the conflict. As former Estonian general Riho Terhas has pointed out, the mere discussion of European boots on the ground could create uncertainty for Russian President Vladimir Putin about the direction of the war. This ambiguity could either act as a deterrent or provoke further escalation from the Kremlin.
The European Dilemma: A Call for Boots on the Ground
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis’ call to reconsider Macron’s earlier proposal to deploy EU troops in Ukraine comes at a critical time. European leaders, particularly in France, Germany, and the Baltic States, are grappling with how to respond to Russia’s deepening ties with autocratic regimes like North Korea. Macron’s initial idea of sending European forces to Ukraine was quickly shot down by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who, like many other European leaders, has been reluctant to commit troops to the conflict. The prospect of a direct military confrontation with Russia is a daunting one for NATO members, especially given Russia’s nuclear capabilities.
However, with the potential involvement of North Korean troops, the strategic calculus may shift. Landsbergis argues that Europe must be proactive rather than reactive, a criticism often leveled at Western leaders for their cautious approach to Russian aggression. While European nations have provided significant military and financial aid to Ukraine, including advanced weaponry and training for Ukrainian forces, the idea of directly deploying European soldiers remains controversial.
The key concern is that sending EU troops would risk further escalating the conflict, possibly drawing NATO into a direct war with Russia. This could trigger a wider confrontation involving nuclear powers, a scenario that Western leaders have been keen to avoid. Yet, as the war drags on and Russia continues to forge alliances with rogue states, some European officials are rethinking their position. The integration of North Korean forces into Russian units may not have an immediate military impact, but it is symbolically significant, highlighting Russia’s growing isolation and desperation.
Terhas, a former Estonian general and member of the European Parliament, has emphasized the psychological effect of discussing European boots on the ground. Every time the possibility is raised, he argues, it creates uncertainty in the Kremlin, which could undermine Putin’s confidence in achieving a clear victory. The question is whether this uncertainty is enough to justify the risks associated with deploying EU forces. At the very least, it is an option that European leaders are being urged to keep on the table.
Implications for the U.S. and Canada
While the immediate focus is on Europe’s response, the involvement of North Korean troops in Ukraine would also have significant repercussions for the United States and Canada. Both nations have been steadfast in their support for Ukraine, providing billions of dollars in military aid, humanitarian assistance, and diplomatic backing. However, the entry of North Korean forces into the conflict could complicate the geopolitical landscape and force both Washington and Ottawa to reassess their strategies.
For the United States, the potential deployment of North Korean troops alongside Russian forces would heighten tensions in an already volatile situation. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has expressed concern over the possibility, but the U.S. has so far refrained from committing to any new military actions. The Biden administration has walked a fine line between supporting Ukraine and avoiding direct confrontation with Russia. However, North Korean involvement could lead to increased pressure from U.S. lawmakers and NATO allies for a more robust response, potentially even revisiting the question of direct U.S. military involvement.
In addition to the military dimension, North Korea’s participation would likely exacerbate existing tensions between Washington and Pyongyang. The U.S. has long viewed North Korea as a pariah state, and any move to support Russia in Ukraine would likely lead to a reassessment of U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific region. This could include tightening sanctions on North Korea or increasing military cooperation with South Korea and Japan, both of which are key allies in countering North Korean aggression.
For Canada, the situation presents both challenges and opportunities. As a member of NATO and a staunch ally of the United States, Canada has been an active participant in the West’s efforts to support Ukraine. However, like other Western nations, it has been cautious about direct military involvement. The presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine could prompt Canada to deepen its engagement, potentially through increased military aid or a more active role in NATO’s strategic planning. At the same time, Canadian leaders would need to carefully consider the risks of further escalation, particularly in light of the country’s commitments to other global security priorities, such as peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
North Korea and Russia: A Desperate Alliance
The potential deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine highlights the extent of Russia’s isolation on the global stage. Over the past year, Russia has found itself increasingly cut off from Western nations, both diplomatically and economically. Sanctions have crippled its economy, and its traditional allies, such as China and India, have been reluctant to provide direct military support for its war in Ukraine. Against this backdrop, Russia has turned to countries like North Korea and Iran, which have little to lose from further alienation from the West.
The alliance between Russia and North Korea is one born of necessity rather than shared values. While both regimes are authoritarian and have a history of defying international norms, their relationship has largely been transactional. North Korea, facing severe economic challenges and food shortages, likely sees its involvement in Ukraine as a way to secure financial and material support from Russia. For Moscow, the infusion of North Korean manpower offers a temporary solution to its manpower crisis, albeit one that comes with significant risks.
One of the key challenges facing Russia will be integrating North Korean forces into its military operations. Language barriers, cultural differences, and logistical issues could hinder the effectiveness of North Korean troops on the battlefield. Moreover, their presence could create tensions within the Russian military, which has already faced morale problems and internal divisions. Nonetheless, the Kremlin appears willing to take these risks as it seeks to avoid another large-scale mobilization of Russian citizens, which could spark further domestic unrest.
The Wider Geopolitical Implications: A New Cold War?
The potential involvement of North Korean troops in Ukraine could mark a turning point in the conflict, with far-reaching implications for global security. At its core, the war in Ukraine is not just a regional conflict; it is a battleground for competing visions of world order. On one side are Western democracies, led by the United States and its NATO allies, who view the war as a defense of international norms and the sovereignty of nations. On the other side are authoritarian regimes, such as Russia and North Korea, who see the conflict as an opportunity to challenge Western hegemony and reshape the global order.
In many ways, the war in Ukraine is reminiscent of the Cold War, when the world was divided into two opposing blocs. The involvement of North Korean troops, along with the support of other autocratic regimes like Iran and Belarus, suggests that we may be witnessing the emergence of a new geopolitical divide. While the stakes are different from those of the Cold War, the underlying dynamics are similar: a struggle for influence, power, and control over the future direction of the global order.
For Europe, the United States, and Canada, this new reality presents both challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, the growing alignment between Russia and rogue states like North Korea underscores the need for a unified and coordinated response from the West. On the other hand, the involvement of these regimes also presents an opportunity to rally international support for Ukraine and further isolate Russia on the global stage.
A War at a Crossroads
As the war in Ukraine enters a critical phase, the potential involvement of North Korean troops has injected new urgency into the debate over how the West should respond. For Europe, the question of deploying EU troops to Ukraine is once again on the table, with officials like Landsbergis calling for a more proactive approach. For the United States and Canada, the challenge will be to balance their support for Ukraine with the need to avoid further escalation.
Ultimately, the conflict in Ukraine is not just about territorial control or military victory. It is about the future of the international order and the values that underpin it. As Russia turns to increasingly desperate measures, including alliances with rogue states like North Korea, the West must be prepared to adapt its strategy and respond to the evolving threat. Whether that means boots on the ground or increased military aid, one thing is clear: the war in Ukraine is far from over, and its outcome will shape the global landscape for years to come.