What's happened
Recent meetings between Russian officials and leaders from Iran and North Korea highlight a deepening military cooperation. This comes as Russia seeks to bolster its defense capabilities amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with North Korea supplying artillery and Iran providing missiles, raising concerns for Ukraine and its allies.
Why it matters
What the papers say
Tom Porter from Business Insider UK highlights that North Korea's military aid is of particular concern to Ukraine, as it supplies critical artillery ammunition. He notes that this support has led to increased battlefield hostilities. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post reports on U.S. and EU concerns regarding China's substantial support for Russia's military, emphasizing that this assistance is crucial for sustaining Russia's war efforts. Politico's Stuart Lau adds that the U.S. is now explicitly stating that China is aiding the Russian military, moving beyond dual-use technologies to direct military support. This multifaceted support from various nations complicates the geopolitical landscape and raises alarms about the future of the conflict in Ukraine.
How we got here
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted it to strengthen ties with allies like Iran and North Korea. These nations have become crucial suppliers of military resources, including ammunition and weapons, as Russia faces international sanctions and seeks to sustain its war efforts.
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012.
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.