EU starts discussions on sending troops to Ukraine because of DPRK soldiers on Russia's side

Politico, citing sources, said that the EU has begun discussing the possible deployment of European troops in Ukraine in response to the actions of Russia and the DPRK.

Here's What We Know

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that European countries should reconsider French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to send troops to Ukraine.

"If the information about the participation of soldiers from North Korea and the supply of ammunition to the Russians is confirmed, then we need to return to Macron's proposals," Landsbergis explained.

The idea of deploying troops to Ukraine was voiced back in February, but then German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denied the possibility of deploying European or NATO troops to Ukraine.

Western leaders are now expressing caution about these proposals. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin have not confirmed the participation of North Korean troops, although Austin has expressed concern over this.

Interestingly, South Korea is planning to send representatives to NATO headquarters to discuss intelligence on the North Korean military's movements. At the same time, some European officials believe that the West is acting too cautiously.

Riho Terhas, a former commander of the Estonian armed forces and a member of the European Parliament, said that the West is using some doubts about the veracity of intelligence as an excuse for inaction.

He explained that the integration of North Korean troops into Russian units could be a difficult operational task and is unlikely to have a significant impact on hostilities. Terhas also stressed that Europe should seriously consider sending its own troops to Ukraine.

Source: POLITICO