Deployment of North Korean troops in Russia a sign of Vladimir Putin's 'desperation': NATO chief

NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Monday that the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia to bolster Moscow's war effort in Ukraine was a sign of Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'desperation'.

"The deployment (of) North Korean troops to Kursk is also a sign of Putin's growing desperation," Rutte said, referring to the western Russian region where Ukrainian troops have been conducting a ground offensive since August.

"The deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a threat to both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security," he added, speaking at a press conference in Brussels.