North Korea calls US military aid to Ukraine 'incredible mistake'

(Patria) - North Korea said this morning that US military aid to Ukraine worth eight billion dollars is an "incredible mistake" and playing with fire against nuclear superpower Russia, Reuters reported.

US President Joe Biden announced new aid while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was visiting Washington to help Kyiv defend itself, including longer-range weapons that will improve its ability to strike Russia from safer distances.

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said Washington is escalating the Ukraine conflict and bringing all of Europe to the brink of nuclear war.

"The United States and the West should not dismiss or underestimate Russia's serious warning," she said in a statement released by the state news agency KCNA. "Are the United States and the West really capable of bearing the consequences while recklessly playing with fire against Russia, which is a nuclear superpower?"

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that he could use nuclear weapons if Russia were hit by missiles and would consider any attack on it with the support of a nuclear power a joint attack.

Helping Zelensky continue his military adventure is dangerous and irresponsible gambling, and the announcement of eight billion dollars in new military aid was an "incredible mistake and a foolish act," Kim said.

Kim, who holds a position in the ruling Workers' Party of North Korea, often makes statements on Pyongyang's stance on political and security issues and is believed to be authorized by the country's supreme leader.

North Korea and Russia have dramatically improved their ties over the past year, with their leaders meeting twice and agreeing on a "comprehensive strategic partnership" that includes a mutual defense pledge.

North Korea has sent at least 16,500 containers of weapons to Russia since September last year, and Russia has fired missiles from those shipments into Ukraine, the United States said.

North Korea and Russia deny any illegal arms trade.