Zelensky "North Korea's new role, partners need to decide"...U.S. " $400 million in aid"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for a firm response from the Western bloc, citing allegations of sending North Korean troops.

"We need firm action from our partners regarding North Korea's new role in supporting Russia," Zelensky said in a speech after meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Austin during a visit to Ukraine.

Regarding the situation in Kursk, Russia, where North Korean troops are likely to be deployed first, he also said, "We must remember that the Kursk operation is in line with strategic goals, and the war must return to the territory where it started."

President Zelensky has been demanding Western support every day, citing the dispatch of North Korean troops as a fait accompli based on reports from Ukrainian intelligence agencies.

Earlier, U.S. Defense Secretary Austin promised $400 million and 550 billion won in military aid, including ammunition and military equipment.

During his meeting with Austin, President Zelensky reportedly discussed approval of the use of long-range weapons and increased production of attack drones and cruise missiles.

They also discussed ways to raise the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Liaison Group, a ministerial consultative body of more than 50 supporting countries, to the national level.