Although US President Trump is eager to push Russia and Ukraine to reach an agreement to end the war as soon as possible, Russian President Putin recently put forward new demands, casting new variables in the ceasefire negotiations.
This week, the United States brokered a ceasefire in the Black Sea between Ukraine and Russia, ensuring safe navigation for commercial ships. However, Russia's compliance with the agreement depends on the West lifting some sanctions, particularly those affecting its agricultural exports. European leaders are skeptical of any easing, saying now is not the right time.
Russia's TASS news agency reported on March 28 that Russian President Vladimir Putin, while meeting with soldiers of the newly built nuclear submarine "Arkhangelsk", said that not only the United States, but also BRICS countries such as China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and North Korea should assist Russia in resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Separately, Putin said Ukraine could be handed over to a "provisional government" in a peace process that would also involve North Korea and other Moscow allies.
Putin's talk of "temporary trusteeship" for Ukraine was subsequently rejected by the United States; a spokesman for the White House National Security Council stressed that the governance of Kiev should be decided by the Ukrainian Constitution and the Ukrainian people.
North Korea sends more troops to Russia
Putin's comments came as Russia prepared for a visit by the North Korean leader; at the same time, North Korea sent at least 3,000 more troops to Russia in January and February to support its war in Ukraine.
The United States and South Korea reported that North Korea has sent up to 12,000 troops and provided ballistic missiles to Russia in support of its war in Ukraine, its first major overseas military involvement since the 1950s. Russia and North Korea have not confirmed the claims.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday that "of the approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers sent to Russia, 4,000 have been killed or wounded, and North Korea appears to have sent an additional 3,000 or more soldiers in January and February."
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea continues to provide Russia with missiles, ammunition, artillery and other equipment, including "a large number of short-range ballistic missiles, and approximately 220 170mm self-propelled howitzers and 240mm rocket launchers." In addition, Pyongyang appears to be upgrading its technology to launch another military spy satellite, although there is no indication that North Korea is about to launch such a satellite.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff also noted that North Korea's winter military exercises have decreased in number compared to last year, possibly due to mobilizing troops for various construction projects, preparations for deploying more troops to Russia, and chronic energy shortages.
North Korea unveiled on Thursday what may be its first airborne radar system and a suicide attack drone equipped with artificial intelligence, further suggesting that Russia may offer technical assistance in exchange for North Korean troops supporting the war in Ukraine.
North Korean leader to visit Russia
Separately, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said on Thursday that Russia is preparing for a visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the latest sign of deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, but he did not provide further details.
This will be Kim Jong-un's third visit to Russia. He previously visited Vladivostok in 2019 and the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Region in 2023.
Russia and North Korea have maintained close ties since Putin visited Pyongyang in 2024 to sign a mutual defense treaty with Kim Jong Un, which boosted bilateral military cooperation and led to North Korean troop deployments to Russia.
