"Photos are a serious matter. If there are photos, then they reflect something," Putin said.
The Russian President also noted that NATO troops have been directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict for a long time.
"As for our relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as you know, our strategic partnership agreement was ratified today. Article 4 is there. We have never doubted that the North Korean leadership is serious about our arrangements. But what and how we will do it is our business within the framework of that article," Putin emphasized.
The Russian President also said that Moscow does not want to escalate the situation, it is being done by "the other side".
"We are ready for that escalation. Think about whether the countries that deal with it are ready for it," he warned.
The agreement on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and the DPRK was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in June.
In general, the agreement has 23 articles. According to Article 4, if one of the parties finds itself in a state of war due to an armed attack by one or more states, the other party shall provide it with immediate military assistance by all means at its disposal. The contract is valid indefinitely. The State Duma ratified the document on October 24.
Earlier, the United States announced that there are indications that North Korea has sent 3,000 soldiers to Russia, who may be transferred to fight in Ukraine. Before that, South Korea announced that the DPRK sent 1,500 special forces to Russia.
