Time To Be Stupid To America, Putin Affirms Deployment Of North Korean Troops In Russia's Affairs

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin said the decision to use North Korean troops or not was a matter for the Russian government.

"When we have to decide something, we will decide. But it is our sovereignty decision whether we will implement it, whether we will not implement it, whether we need it," Putin told Russian state television.

"This is our business," said Putin.

Putin said the West repeatedly said Ukraine had the right to do something to ensure its safety, with or without NATO.

"The sooner they realize the passback of such an approach in relation to Russia, the better for everyone, and perhaps, especially for themselves," Putin said.

The United States said it saw evidence that North Korea had sent 3,000 troops to Russia for possible deployments in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian military intelligence agencies said the first North Korean unit trained in Russia had been deployed in the Kursk region, Russia's border area where Ukrainian forces took part of Russian land in August.

Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening a new agreement during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June.