The first group of North Korean troops have been sent to the Russian region of Kursk where some have tried to desert, according to reports. Ukraine launched an incursion into the Russian region on August 6 and Putin is said to be planning to use the North Korean soldiers in his fight to recapture territory.

U.S. officials are still weighing a response as Moscow becomes more reliant on foreign assistance.

The Biden administration said that at least 3,000 North Korean troops are training in Russia, though it remains unclear if they’ll join the war.

Russian President Putin told BRICS leaders on Thursday that the Middle East was on the brink of a full-scale war after a sharp rise in tension between Israel and Iran, though the Kremlin chief also faced calls to end the war in Ukraine.

The summit’s final document said little about the Ukraine war, but several participants were still searching for a way to end it diplomatically.

Antonio Guterres's message at the summit of BRICS countries in Kazan comes after President Xi Jinping told leaders yesterday that China has a peace plan for Ukraine - along with Brazil.