The Russian State Duma has ratified the Russia-North Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. (Source: Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed the treaty during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June.

According to Sputnik news agency, speaking before the Russian State Duma, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko explained that this treaty provides for mutual military assistance, is defensive in nature and is not aimed at third countries.

The treaty includes a provision for mutual military assistance "in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter in the event that one of the parties is attacked by any state, thereby entering a state of war," Mr. Rudenko stressed.

According to the Russian diplomat, the content of the clause clearly states that this treaty "is defensive in nature, not aimed at the security of third countries and is aimed at maintaining stability in the Northeast Asia region".

The signing of the treaty reflects the fact that Moscow and Pyongyang are reconsidering their own security assurance methods amid alarming military-political trends at the regional and global levels, Deputy Minister Rudenko added.

The cooperation agreement contributes to maintaining the balance of power and reducing the risk of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula, it said, adding that there were no secret annexes to the treaty.

Russia and North Korea have stepped up cooperation since the start of the military operation in Ukraine. Recently, South Korea and Ukraine accused the North Korean army of preparing to deploy to support Russia.

Russia did not deny the matter, but North Korea said it did not need to respond to the baseless accusations.

Meanwhile, on October 23, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that Washington has evidence of the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia, but their specific role has not been determined and needs further investigation.

China on October 24 affirmed that it did not know that North Korean soldiers were in Russia, and made clear that its stance on the Ukraine crisis is "consistent and clear, hoping that all parties will promote the de-escalation of the situation and commit to a political solution."