Berlin, November 4, 2024 – The Europe Today: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is set to visit Berlin on Monday for a high-level meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, marking his first official trip to Germany as the alliance’s chief. Rutte will be received with military honors at the Chancellery.
The meeting is expected to focus on security policy within the Euro-Atlantic region. German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit confirmed that recent developments in Ukraine, particularly the involvement of North Korean soldiers supporting Russian troops, will be a key topic. This new development has raised significant concerns within NATO, representing an escalation of the ongoing conflict.
According to U.S. intelligence reports, approximately 8,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed in Russia near the front lines, with more expected to arrive. While these troops have not yet engaged in combat, the White House anticipates their deployment soon, potentially introducing North Korean forces with experience in modern warfare into the conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not dismissed the reports of North Korean involvement, while countering that Kyiv is utilizing security personnel from NATO countries.
