Russia's ties with North Korea have grown since the start of the Ukraine war on February 24, 2022, particularly as Moscow faces increasing international isolation. In March, Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution, effectively ending international monitoring of sanctions against North Korea.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says that Washington and its allies are “alarmed” by North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats as well as its increasing military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine,

Ukraine's president accused North Korea on Thursday of deploying officers alongside Russia and preparing to send thousands of troops to help Moscow's war effort, although NATO's chief said there was no evidence of Pyongyang's presence at this stage.