N. Korean troops involved in Kursk counteroffensives: Ukraine's top commander

In other news.

Ukraine says North Korean soldiers have been actively engaged in counteroffensive operations alongside their Russian counterparts in the Kursk region.

Lee Seung-jae has more.

Ukraine's top military commander Oleksandr Syrsky said Monday that North Korean soldiers have taken part in Russian military counteroffensives to recapture territory in Kursk lost to Ukrainian forces.

According to Reuters and AFP, General Syrsky said on social media that a significant number of Russian troops, supported by North Korean soldiers, went on the offensive, but suffered significant losses in troops and equipment.

The comments come amid reports that the Russian military has been successful in its counteroffensive against Ukraine in the Kursk region, after the U.S. cut off military support for Kyiv.

The Russian military also claimed that it had recaptured a number of villages in the Kursk region.

Meanwhile, high-level meetings will be held in Saudi Arabia between officials from the United States and Ukraine this week.

Ukrainian diplomatic and military leaders will hold talks with U.S. officials on Tuesday.

This includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed confidence that the talks with Kyiv will lead to a positive outcome, but insists Ukraine needs to make concessions.

Rubio also stressed that while Russia cannot "conquer all of Ukraine," it'll be "very difficult for Ukraine in any reasonable time period" to get back territory lost to Moscow since 2014.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is set to visit Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the visit comes as the administration looks to secure a ceasefire.

Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.