“Yesterday, there was some rather unusual activity along the Ukraine-Belarus border on the Belarusian side,” Zelensky said in his daily evening address to the nation.“We are closely monitoring the situation, keeping everything under control, and will respond if necessary,” he added, without providing further details about the troop movements, military deployments or the nature of the activity observed.

Ukraine’s air force and border guard did not immediately comment on the statement.The remarks come after Kyiv had in recent weeks publicly urged Belarus not to increase its participation in the conflict, warning against any actions that could expand the northern front of the war.

Belarus, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, allowed Russian forces to use its territory as a staging ground during the initial phase of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russian troops launched attacks toward Kyiv from Belarusian territory during the opening weeks of the war.

Although Belarusian forces have not directly entered combat in Ukraine, Minsk has continued to provide logistical and strategic support to Moscow, including hosting Russian troops, military exercises and tactical nuclear deployments announced by the Kremlin in previous years.

President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly denied plans for direct military intervention but has maintained strong political and security alignment with Russia throughout the conflict.The northern border remains a sensitive security zone for Ukraine, forcing Kyiv to maintain military readiness there even as intense fighting continues on the eastern and southern fronts.

Analysts say any renewed military buildup in Belarus could pressure Ukraine to divert troops from active battle zones, even if no immediate cross-border attack is planned.Zelensky’s warning comes as Ukraine continues to seek stronger Western military support while monitoring Russian troop activity across multiple fronts amid renewed battlefield pressure and broader regional instability.

The inauguration was held on Sunday to mark the first anniversary of what North Korea described as the end of an operation to “liberate” Russia’s Kursk border region, where North Korean troops were deployed to help repel a Ukrainian incursion, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim attended the ceremony alongside visiting Russian Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov and Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia’s State Duma, underscoring the growing importance of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

KCNA reported that Kim placed flowers before the remains of dead soldiers and participated in a burial ritual by throwing dirt over one coffin, describing the fallen troops as symbols of “the Korean people’s heroism.”In a speech carried by KCNA, Kim said the soldiers’ spirits would support “a victorious march by the Korean and Russian people” and praised joint operations for frustrating what he called a U.S.-led Western “hegemonic plot and military adventurism” on the Russia-Ukraine front.

North Korea and Russia publicly acknowledged in April 2025 that their forces had fought together in Kursk, a rare admission of direct North Korean military involvement in a foreign conflict.Neither government has disclosed the exact number of North Korean troops deployed.

South Korea’s intelligence service estimated last year that around 15,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia and roughly 2,000 were killed.In a separate meeting with Beloussov, Kim said North Korea would continue to fully support Russia’s efforts to defend its sovereignty and security interests, KCNA said.

Russia’s state news agency TASS reported that Beloussov told Kim Moscow was prepared to sign a bilateral military cooperation plan covering the 2027–2031 period, signaling that security ties could deepen further beyond battlefield coordination.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a letter read aloud by Volodin during the ceremony, said the museum would serve as “a clear symbol of the friendship and solidarity” between the two countries and expressed confidence that their comprehensive strategic partnership would continue to strengthen, KCNA reported.

Since the start of the Ukraine war, Kim has increasingly prioritized relations with Moscow, supplying troops as well as conventional weapons, according to South Korean, U.S. and allied officials.

In return, analysts and Western governments believe Pyongyang has received economic assistance and could seek advanced Russian military technology, including systems that may strengthen its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.Military analysts say North Korean troops initially suffered heavy losses because of limited combat experience and unfamiliarity with modern drone warfare and battlefield conditions in the Kursk region.

However, Ukrainian military and intelligence officials have said the North Korean contingent gradually adapted and became an important element of Russia’s strategy of sustaining manpower pressure by deploying large numbers of troops in prolonged fighting.

The opening of the museum adds a symbolic domestic dimension to Pyongyang’s wartime support for Moscow, presenting the casualties as national sacrifice while reinforcing the political legitimacy of its expanding alignment with Russia.

The visit comes as Moscow and Pyongyang continue to strengthen military and diplomatic cooperation following their 2024 strategic defence pact.Earlier, North Korean state media KCNA reported that Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin had also arrived in Pyongyang to attend the opening ceremony of a newly built memorial honoring North Korean troops killed while fighting in the Ukraine war.

Belousov is expected to hold meetings with North Korea’s top leadership and participate in “ceremonial and commemorative events,” according to the Russian defence ministry.Separately, the Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marking the opening of the memorial.

Putin thanked Kim and North Korean soldiers for assisting Russia in repelling what Moscow described as a major Ukrainian incursion into the western Kursk region and said he was confident the two countries would continue strengthening their strategic partnership.

Russia and North Korea significantly expanded their relations after Kim and Putin met in June 2024 and signed a comprehensive strategic treaty that included a mutual defence clause.Since 2023, both countries have accelerated military exchanges and diplomatic coordination, drawing close international scrutiny over North Korea’s alleged military support for Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.

The memorial inauguration and Belousov’s visit underscore the growing public acknowledgment of North Korea’s role in the conflict and signal further institutional deepening of Moscow-Pyongyang security ties.

The 850-metre bridge, which is being built to connect North Korea’s Rason region with Russia’s Far East highway network, is intended to facilitate movement of goods, vehicles and people, according to KCNA. The project began around a year ago and is expected to strengthen bilateral economic and logistical ties.

The structure was agreed during a 2024 visit to North Korea by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian officials have previously said completion is targeted for June 19, with an inauguration ceremony expected shortly thereafter.

The bridge is being constructed near the existing “Friendship Bridge,” a rail link established in 1959 after the Korean War. Once operational, the new crossing is expected to support limited road traffic capacity, including passenger and commercial vehicles.

Officials in Russia’s Primorsky region have said the project could reduce travel distance between Vladivostok and the North Korean border city of Rason, improving access for trade and tourism flows. The infrastructure is also expected to connect more directly into Russia’s regional transport corridors.

The development comes amid a broader expansion of cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. In 2024, the two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that includes security provisions. Reports have indicated increased political, economic and military engagement since then.

Separately, North Korea has also been restoring transport links with China, including the resumption of cross-border passenger rail services after a six-year pause, signalling a gradual reopening of regional connectivity after prolonged pandemic-era and geopolitical restrictions.

Authorities in Russia’s Leningrad region confirmed that additional mobile fire units would be deployed to protect strategic facilities, including the major Baltic ports of and , which have faced repeated attacks in recent weeks. Governor said the units would include reservists serving on voluntary contracts, tasked specifically with countering unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats.

Kyiv has described the strikes as retaliatory measures against Russia’s sustained aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian forces have increasingly targeted Russia’s energy infrastructure, aiming to disrupt export revenues that remain a key source of funding for Moscow’s war effort.

The attacks have had a measurable impact on Russia’s oil logistics. According to data cited by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, oil shipments from Ust-Luga and Primorsk fell by roughly half in the week following a March 23 drone strike compared to the same period a year earlier.

Despite these disruptions, Russia’s oil revenues have shown resilience. The reported that Russian oil export earnings nearly doubled to $19 billion in March, reflecting elevated global prices amid broader geopolitical tensions, including conflict in the Middle East.
President had previously authorized the use of reservists to guard energy infrastructure under legislation signed last year, as Ukraine expanded its use of long-range drones to strike deeper into Russian territory.

The intensifying exchange of strikes underscores a shift in the conflict toward targeting economic assets, with both sides seeking to degrade the other’s capacity to sustain prolonged military operations.

Speaking to German broadcaster ZDF, Zelensky said US negotiators, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were heavily engaged in Middle East diplomacy, leaving limited bandwidth for advancing peace efforts in Ukraine.

He described both figures as “pragmatic” but indicated their current focus had shifted toward managing tensions involving Iran.Zelensky said that a lack of sustained US pressure on Moscow risks emboldening the Kremlin.

“If the United States does not put pressure on Putin and only engages in a gentle dialogue with the Russians, then they will no longer be afraid,” he said.Negotiations aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine have stalled in recent weeks, with no direct talks reported since February meetings in Geneva.

The diplomatic slowdown coincides with the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in late March, which has drawn significant US strategic and military attention.Zelensky also highlighted disruptions in US arms deliveries to Ukraine, calling the situation “a big problem,” particularly in the supply of air defense systems.

He pointed to shortages in PAC-3 and PAC-2 interceptor missiles, which are critical for countering aerial threats.According to Zelensky, these systems are largely procured through the PURL program, a mechanism established last year that allows European countries to finance US military equipment for Ukraine.

He said deliveries under the program had slowed, creating operational challenges for Ukrainian forces.“At the very beginning of the war in the Middle East we understood that we can have challenges,” Zelensky said, adding that the delays have placed Ukraine in a “very difficult position.”

Later in Norway, Zelensky met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, where the two countries signed a joint declaration aimed at enhancing defense and security cooperation. The agreement includes plans to expand collaboration between defense industries and initiate production of Ukrainian drones in Norway.

Earlier in the day, Zelensky led a delegation to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and senior officials.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defense ties and advancing a broader strategic partnership amid the protracted conflict with Russia, now in its fifth year.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Washington would not oppose a shipment from Russia or other countries if intended to alleviate shortages. “If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem whether it’s Russia or not,” he said.

Shipping data cited in reports shows a tanker carrying roughly 730,000 barrels of oil nearing Cuba’s eastern coast, with an expected arrival in Matanzas. The vessel is expected to deliver fuel that could yield about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to meet the country’s demand for more than a week.

The tanker, identified as the Anatoly Kolodkin, is under sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom following the war in Ukraine.

Trump’s remarks come despite his administration’s intensified efforts to restrict oil flows to Cuba in a bid to pressure its government. He has previously threatened punitive tariffs on third countries supplying oil to the island.

The blockade has contributed to widespread fuel shortages, with reports of prolonged blackouts and disruptions to public transport and healthcare services across Cuba.Cuba has long been a focal point of strategic competition between the United States and Russia.

Trump dismissed suggestions that allowing the shipment would benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the delivery would have limited impact beyond addressing immediate needs.

He said he would prefer allowing fuel deliveries to ease hardship for civilians, citing the need for electricity, heating and cooling as essential services.

Speaking at a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim said expanding a “self-defensive nuclear deterrent” was essential for national security, economic development and regional stability, according to the official KCNA news agency.

Kim rejected the possibility of exchanging nuclear disarmament for economic incentives or security guarantees, saying North Korea had already demonstrated that it could pursue development alongside maintaining nuclear capabilities.

He said global conditions, marked by what he described as violations of sovereignty through force, underscored the necessity of nuclear weapons as the ultimate guarantee of state survival.

Analysts in South Korea said the remarks appeared to indirectly reference recent U.S. military actions against Iran, reinforcing Pyongyang’s longstanding position that nuclear deterrence is essential to prevent external intervention.

Kim said South Korea had been designated the “most hostile state” and warned that any infringement on North Korea’s sovereignty would be met without hesitation.The comments signal a continued shift in Pyongyang’s policy away from reconciliation, effectively redefining inter-Korean relations as those between two adversarial states rather than potential partners for reunification.

Officials at South Korea’s Blue House described the remarks as detrimental to peaceful coexistence, calling for dialogue and cooperation to ensure stability on the Korean peninsula.

Economic plan and defence spendingAlongside security policy, Kim outlined a new five-year economic plan focused on industrial modernisation, increased energy production, agricultural output and housing expansion.

The assembly also approved a 2026 state budget allocating 15.8% of total expenditure to defence, with explicit funding for nuclear and military capabilities, according to KCNA.

A message from Vladimir Putin was delivered during the session, pledging deeper strategic ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has reaffirmed the alliance’s strength and unity after the successful completion of its annual nuclear exercise, stating that the drills showcased the credibility and preparedness of NATO’s nuclear deterrence capabilities in the face of rising tensions with Russia.

Speaking to German media, Rutte emphasized that the exercise, conducted earlier this month, demonstrated the alliance’s ability to respond decisively to any form of nuclear intimidation.

“When Russia is using dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric, our populations must know that there is no need to panic, because NATO has a strong nuclear deterrent,” he said.

Rutte’s remarks come at a critical time, as Russia continues to issue nuclear threats in connection with its war in Ukraine. The NATO chief sought to reassure citizens across member nations that the alliance remains capable and united in its commitment to collective defense.

“Putin must know that nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought,” Rutte added, echoing a long-standing principle that has underpinned global nuclear stability for decades.

The annual NATO nuclear exercise, known for its strict operational secrecy, brings together multiple member states to test readiness and coordination.

This year’s drills reportedly included simulated flight operations, nuclear strike scenarios, and rapid-response coordination between ground, air, and naval forces.

The exercises are seen as a vital demonstration of the alliance’s defensive posture and its message of deterrence against any nuclear escalation.

Rutte, who took over as NATO Secretary-General earlier this year, has been vocal about strengthening deterrence and reinforcing unity among members.

His leadership comes at a moment when the alliance faces one of its most complex security environments in decades, marked by the ongoing war in Ukraine, cyber threats, and increasing geopolitical competition.

He noted that while NATO does not seek confrontation, it cannot afford complacency. “Our deterrence remains defensive, measured, and responsible,” Rutte said. “But it is also unshakable. Every adversary must understand that NATO will defend every inch of allied territory.”

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly issued nuclear warnings since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In October, he declared that Moscow could consider using nuclear weapons if struck by conventional missiles, and that any attack supported by a nuclear power would be treated as a joint assault on Russia. These comments have intensified global concerns about the potential for escalation.

Rutte, however, stressed that NATO remains firmly focused on preventing such a scenario. The alliance’s collective deterrence strategy, he explained, is built not just on nuclear capabilities but also on diplomacy, strategic stability, and transparency among allies. “Our goal is not to provoke conflict but to preserve peace through strength,” he said.

The NATO chief’s confidence follows a broader pattern of reassurance within the alliance. Member nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, and France — all nuclear powers — have reaffirmed their commitments to NATO’s shared defense framework. These exercises serve both as a technical test of readiness and as a political signal of cohesion among allies.

Analysts say Rutte’s strong stance sends a message of stability to both allies and adversaries. It underscores NATO’s capability to deter aggression while maintaining the balance of power that has prevented direct conflict between nuclear states since the Cold War.

As tensions between Russia and the West remain high, the success of NATO’s nuclear drills reinforces a clear message: the alliance is alert, united, and prepared.

For citizens across Europe and North America, Rutte’s words serve as a reminder that deterrence, discipline, and diplomacy remain central to NATO’s mission — ensuring that the shadow of nuclear war stays where it belongs: in history, not in reality.

The Kremlin emphasized that its defense strategies and technological advancements are guided by a commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty, maintaining global stability, and ensuring security through preparedness and innovation.

During a media briefing in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov underlined that Russia’s military and scientific initiatives are not intended to provoke or escalate tensions with any nation.

Instead, they reflect the country’s ongoing efforts to maintain a secure and balanced defense posture in a rapidly changing world.

Peskov reiterated that the testing of the Burevestnik missile was part of Russia’s broader strategy to strengthen deterrence capabilities and ensure the safety of its citizens in an evolving global security landscape.

He noted that such advancements are conducted transparently and within the framework of international norms. Russia’s approach, he explained, is based on a principle of responsible defense development—where the focus lies on stability, peace, and readiness rather than confrontation.

The Kremlin spokesperson emphasized that Russia remains open to dialogue with all nations, including the United States, on matters of arms control, nuclear safety, and strategic cooperation.

Observers see Moscow’s statement as a sign of balance between firmness and diplomacy. While Russia continues to protect its strategic interests, it also expresses willingness to engage constructively with global partners to reduce misunderstanding and promote peace.

The ongoing discussions about global security, arms limitations, and disarmament remain areas where Russia believes transparent communication and mutual respect are vital.

Peskov highlighted that Russia does not seek to undermine international trust but to strengthen it through technological advancement and responsible governance.

The Burevestnik missile test, according to defense analysts, represents a continued pursuit of innovation and scientific excellence within Russia’s defense sector, reflecting the nation’s emphasis on technological self-reliance and modernization.

The test also underscores the government’s ongoing investment in research, safety mechanisms, and oversight to ensure that advancements serve peaceful deterrence purposes.

He further mentioned that Russia’s defense priorities have always been shaped by its historical experiences and the necessity to remain self-sufficient in a world of shifting alliances and evolving security challenges.

The aim, he said, is to achieve long-term stability, peace, and global balance through strong but responsible defense measures.

At the same time, the Kremlin acknowledged the importance of maintaining open channels with Washington and other key partners.

Diplomatic experts in Moscow believe that constructive dialogue, rather than criticism or confrontation, will pave the way toward a more cooperative global environment.

They stress that issues like arms control and conflict resolution require a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility among leading powers.

Russia’s reaffirmation of its sovereign course comes at a time when global security discussions are intensifying. Moscow’s message conveys both confidence in its scientific and military capabilities and a broader call for diplomatic engagement.

The Kremlin’s position reinforces that technological progress in defense should coexist with dialogue, transparency, and peacekeeping efforts.

As nations navigate complex geopolitical realities, Russia continues to emphasize that every sovereign state has the right to protect its national interests, develop its defense systems, and contribute responsibly to international peace and security.

In reaffirming this stance, the Kremlin sends a message not of defiance, but of determination—to act independently while remaining open to collaboration and understanding in the pursuit of a safer and more stable world.