Gen. Mark Milley, in Norway for NATO meetings, acknowledged the likelihood of this support following a meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin but expressed skepticism about its decisive effect.
US Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, downplayed the potential impact of North Korea’s assistance in supplying Soviet-era 152 mm artillery rounds to Russia for the Ukraine conflict
Gen. Mark Milley emphasized that while the assistance shouldn’t be underestimated, it may not fundamentally alter the situation. Foreign analysts speculate that Kim’s provision of ammunition may be tied to reciprocal agreements for advanced weaponry or technology from Russia. Gen. Mark Milley, alongside defense chiefs from NATO nations, convened in Oslo to discuss regional defense concerns, particularly bolstering Ukraine. The NATO gatherings coincided with a gradual Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian forces, which hasn’t advanced as swiftly as anticipated.
Gen. Mark Milley stressed the ongoing necessity for additional weaponry and equipment in Ukraine. Gen. Mark Milley asserted a sustained, bipartisan backing for aid from both the US public and Congress. However, Admiral Rob Bauer of the Netherlands, NATO’s Military Committee chair, recognized strains on military production, affecting the availability and pricing of arms and ammunition.
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Divisions among American lawmakers regarding further Ukrainian support are evident
President Biden has proposed a $13.1 billion military aid package, alongside $8.5 billion for humanitarian assistance, yet conservative factions and Trump-aligned figures call for spending cuts. This issue will dominate discussions during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky‘s visit to Washington for the UN General Assembly.
In Norway, the NATO defense chiefs plan to convene a smaller assembly with Western and Indo-Pacific military leaders, examining lessons from the Ukraine conflict and their applicability to the Pacific. The group will encompass representatives from key NATO countries and allies, underlining the growing focus on China as a major security challenge. There are rising concerns about China’s assertive military moves around Taiwan. The international community warns that failure to halt Russia’s Ukraine incursion could embolden other territorial ambitions, potentially reshaping the post-World War II global order.