- The president of South Korea has made a surprise visit to Ukraine today to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Earlier this week he attended a NATO summit in Lithuania and visited Poland, where he expressed solidarity with Ukraine.
- Although his visit was not entirely unexpected, it is “very significant” given that few other Asian leaders have visited Ukraine, said an expert.
- On the other hand, Discontent ‘growing’ in the Russian army and it mirrors ‘Wagner’s mutiny rhetoric’
The president of South Korea has made a surprise visit to Ukraine today to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the site of mass killings in Bucha, before going to Irpin, a residential area targeted by large-scale missile attacks.
Earlier this week he attended a NATO summit in Lithuania and visited Poland, where he expressed solidarity with Ukraine. South Korea has faced renewed pressure to provide weapons, which Mr. Yoon’s administration has resisted in favour of humanitarian and financial aid, wary of Russia’s influence over North Korea.
Although his visit was not entirely unexpected, it is “very significant” given that few other Asian leaders have visited Ukraine, said Ramon Pacheco Pardo, the Korea chair at the Brussels School of Governance.
“If he’s going it’s because Zelenskyy allowed him to go because he feels Korea is doing enough to warrant it,” Mr Pacheco Pardo said, adding that it also suggested South Korea may be doing more to support Ukraine behind the scenes.
Mr. Yoon said in Poland: “We view Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a challenge to the international community’s freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.”
On the other hand, Discontent ‘growing’ in the Russian army and it mirrors ‘Wagner’s mutiny rhetoric’
Russia has sacked a commander for a “scathing attack” on its top military brass which echoed the words of Yevgeny Prigozhin prior to the Wagner mutiny. General Major Ivan Popov accused the Russian defence ministry of “viciously beheading the Army at the most difficult and intense moment”.
His comments, made in a leaked video intended for his troops, draw attention to “serious disaffection many officers likely harbor towards the senior military leadership”, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. “The complaints largely echo those made by Wagner Group owner Yevgeny Prigozhin prior to his June 2023 mutiny,” it said.
“Direct criticism from subordinates is likely to become an increasing problem for defence minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the general staff General Gerasimov.”
These military leaders were the target of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s aborted rebellion in June, who he railed against for perceived failures in their invasion of Ukraine.
(With inputs from agencies)
