Zelensky warns of North Korean soldiers, pushes for NATO invitation

Russia is preparing to send 10,000 North Korean soldiers to fight in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, citing intelligence sources.

Heavy Russian losses and public opposition to more conscription means Moscow must use other soldiers, Zelensky said in Brussels on Thursday. The entry of North Korean soldiers to the war is "really urgent," Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president also said US republican presidential candidate Donald Trump agreed with his arguments to support Ukraine joining NATO.

According to Zelensky, Trump told him in their recent meeting he had "good arguments" to let Ukraine join the Western defence alliance. "I think that Donald Trump heard me," he said.

NATO membership for Ukraine is a contentious subject for the alliance, especially for Germany and the United States, fearing an escalation that would widen the war to current members.

Zelensky refuted this belief, arguing that an invitation to join NATO would not represent an escalation and that actions should follow words "if you really want Ukraine to be part of NATO."