Kiev, 22 October 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Tuesday for increased international pressure on North Korea, following reports that the country is sending troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine.

"If North Korea can interfere in the war in Europe, then the pressure on this regime is definitely not enough," Zelensky said in a video message.

"It is clear that Pyongyang, like Moscow, does not care about people and does not respect human life," he said, warning that this expansion of Russia's war must be stopped.

Reports that North Korea is sending troops to fight alongside the Russian military in Ukraine have been circulating for days, including from South Korea's intelligence services.

Zelensky said that Ukrainian authorities have information about the training of two units of the North Korean military with perhaps 6,000 men each.

Moscow has responded evasively to the reports, but it is suffering heavy losses as it advances in eastern Ukraine.

Russia and North Korea signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement in June, which also includes mutual assistance in the event of an attack by another country.

MIA file photo