### U.S. Monitors Potential North Korean Involvement in Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The United States is closely monitoring claims that North Korean troops have been dispatched to Russia to participate in the conflict against Ukraine, according to John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council. In a briefing on Monday, Kirby emphasized the gravity of these reports, noting that if true, such a development would be highly alarming.

"We're obviously continuing to look into those reports," Kirby said, mentioning that the U.S. is consulting its allies and partners. "If it's true that the DPRK soldiers are going there to join the war against Ukraine, it would certainly mark a dangerous and highly concerning development."

Kirby suggested this move illustrates Russian President Vladimir Putin's escalating desperation and isolation on the global stage. "It's a demonstration of Putin's growing desperation and his growing isolation that he's got to reach out to North Korea for potential infantry support to his ground operations," Kirby said. He referenced reports indicating more than 1,200 Russian soldiers are dying daily, portraying a dire situation for Russian troops.

The U.S. and NATO have yet to confirm the presence of North Korean forces in Russia. Nonetheless, these reports have incited anxiety in South Korea, which fears that Moscow might offer advanced military technologies to Pyongyang in exchange for the troop support. These technologies could significantly boost North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Responding to these concerns, South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador on Monday to protest the military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, demanding the immediate withdrawal of any North Korean troops. South Korea's spy agency reported on Friday that approximately 1,500 North Korean special forces were deployed to Russia this month.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also raised alarms, claiming that Kyiv has intelligence suggesting North Korea is preparing to send 10,000 soldiers to support the Russian invasion.

Despite these tensions, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with numerous global leaders, including China's Xi Jinping, India's Narendra Modi, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian. They will convene in Kazan for a BRICS summit, challenging the notion that Putin has become a global pariah due to the Ukrainian conflict and an international arrest warrant.

The BRICS group, which seeks to counterbalance Western influence, originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa but has expanded rapidly. Recent additions include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, with Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia also applying for membership.

Kirby reiterated that countries have the autonomy to choose their associations and economic ties. "Russia is increasingly isolated on the world stage," he added. "Mr. Putin is still having to take radical steps to prop up his currency and keep his war economy going."

Putin is expected to address the outcomes of the BRICS conference in a press conference scheduled for Thursday, according to Reuters.