Ukraine, Germany discuss need for ‘decisive response’ to North Korean troop presence during Foreign Minister Baerbock’s visit to Kiev

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect details of the talks between Kiev and Berlin.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Kyiv on November 4 in a show of support for the beleaguered country, marking her eighth visit to Ukraine.

“We are confronting this brutality with our humanity and our support, so that Ukrainians can not only survive the winter, but their country can survive,” Baerbock said upon arrival, according to Reuters.

During the visit, the German minister met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Following the meeting, Sybiha said delegations discussed the “need for decisive action” in response to the presence North Korean troops located along the eastern front of Ukraine.

“We urge Europe to realize that DPRK troops are now waging an aggressive war in Europe against a sovereign European state,” Sybiha told reporters after the meeting, referring to North Korea by an acronym representing its official name.

Earlier in the day, Zelensky said North Korea had already done so deployed 11,000 troops in Russia’s Kursk region.

“We see an increase in the number of North Koreans, and we do not see an increase in the reaction of our partners,” Zelensky said. said in his evening speech.

Baerbock’s visit comes as Ukraine prepares for what could be the worst winter of the war yet.

The Ukrainian energy grid was severely damaged during Russia’s massive air campaigns in the autumn-winter period 2022-2023 and in spring and summer of 2024. New attacks against infrastructure are expected as temperatures drop.

Germany played a key role in providing energy support to Ukraine and strengthening the country air defenses needed to repel other attacks.

According to Baerbock, Berlin committed another 170 million euros ($185 million) to boost Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.