Zelenskyy: Conflict may impact East Asian security

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sat down with NHK at his presidential office in Kyiv on Wednesday. He warns that the conflict in Ukraine could impact regional security in East Asia, pointing to North Korea, which is boosting ties with Russia.

Zelenskyy said North Korea has sent tens of thousands of troops to join the fighting. He said, "It's a big problem because it was not expensive for North Korea just to send people, and they begin to learn modern war, where they can do it for today."

He said Russia allowed North Korea to get wartime experience "without big losses," which he believes has increased the regional security threat in East Asia.

Zelenskyy also referred to China. He said he has never seen Chinese missiles, but he noted that many Chinese parts are used in missiles and drones. He also criticized Beijing's diplomatic stance on the conflict.

Zelenskyy said: "It's a pity that China is not on our side in this war, politically, even it's not about weapons. It's about the political will, and it's a pity because this war can be started and stopped immediately by strong leaders, including China."

He stressed the problem is that they are not in the "middle," and they are "a little bit more with Russia."

Zelenskyy also said he wants to cooperate with Japan on defense, including in areas like cybersecurity and drones.