The North Korean move marks a turning point in the Russian-Ukrainian war by expanding the conflict into an increasingly global war with more external players. In response, South Korea could lift its ban on the supply of lethal aid to a country in a state of war.
“If part of the huge stockpile of artillery shells in Seoul began to be sent directly to Kyiv with Pyongyang’s supplies to Russia, this would lead to the fact that the two largest artillery forces in the world would participate in the war,” Bloomberg noted.
Another potential international response to North Korea’s actions could be for the US to lift its ban on strikes deep into Russia using Western weapons. Perhaps some allies, including Poland and Romania, may be allowed to defend Ukrainian airspace. However, it is noted that the West is unlikely to make any critical decisions before the US election on November 5.
For its part, the Kremlin will use North Korean troops in the Kursk region to spare the use of Russian soldiers. This will help Putin to avoid political discomfort at home.