The article discusses how North Korea’s alliance with Russia undermines the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and creates a disadvantageous situation for Ukraine, which is a non-nuclear state. The author argues that Russia’s actions are a paradoxical use of the NPT, as it allows Moscow to carry out expansionist policies against Ukraine while North Korea enjoys greater freedom in its nuclear ambitions.
The article highlights several points:
1. **Russia and North Korea’s alliance**: The two countries have signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which includes a promise to defend each other in case of an armed attack, including the use of nuclear weapons.
2. **NPT implications**: Russia’s actions undermine the NPT by showing that nuclearization need not have consequences and can even result in more security benefits. This is a lesson being studied closely in capitals such as Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo.
3. **Ukraine’s situation**: Ukraine’s observance of the NPT limits its ability to defend itself against Russia and North Korea, which are now allies.
4. **Russian obligations under the NPT**: Russia has abandoned its past opposition to North Korea’s nuclear program and vetoed UN resolutions to tighten sanctions on Pyongyang.
The author concludes that the solution to this paradoxical situation is for all NPT signatory states interested in a continuation of the non-proliferation regime to provide Kyiv with conventional military and non-military help to enable the Ukrainian armed forces to repel Russia’s and North Korea’s attack.