Putin orders more efforts in suppressing extremism; signs into law defense treaty with North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his interior ministry early on Sunday to increase efforts in suppressing extremism inside the country.

“Today, Russian citizens expect more dedication and new results from you in all key areas of work,” Putin said in a congratulatory message to the interior ministry’s employees on their professional holiday, which is celebrated in Russia on Nov. 10.

“More work and proactive behavior are also necessary in suppressing extremism. It threatens our sovereignty, constitutional order and the safety of people in any form and guise.”

On Saturday, Putin signed into law a treaty on the country’s strategic partnership with North Korea which includes a mutual defense provision.

The accord, signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June after a summit in Pyongyang, calls on each side to come to the other’s aid in case of an armed attack.

Russia’s upper house ratified the treaty this week, while the lower house endorsed it last month. Putin signed a decree on that ratification that appeared on Saturday on a government website outlining legislative procedures.

The treaty galvanizes closer ties between Moscow and Pyongyang since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Reports from South Korea and Western countries say North Korea has supplied Russia with weaponry. Ukrainian forensic experts say they have found traces of the weapons at sites of Russian attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that North Korea has sent 11,000 troops to Russia and some of them suffered casualties in combat with Kyiv’s forces Russia’s southern Kursk region.

Russia has not confirmed the presence of the North Korean troops.