In a significant move amidst rising tensions in the region, President Vladimir Putin has signed a mutual defense treaty with North Korea, emphasizing the deepening military and strategic partnership between the two nations. This treaty, which has been ratified by the Russian parliament, comes as North Korean troops are reported to have been deployed to Kursk, raising concerns in the international community. Putin highlighted that this partnership symbolizes stability in the region, while also suggesting the possibility of joint military exercises between Russia and North Korea. The agreement marks a critical development in the geopolitical landscape, stirring fears of increasing cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow in the context of ongoing conflicts.