Milley believes North Korean armaments for Russia wouldn't affect the Ukraine war

At NATO meetings in Norway that began Saturday and will focus in part on the Ukraine war, the top American military general said North Korea may be able to augment Russia's artillery munitions supply, but that is unlikely to make a huge difference.

Following the recent meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark Milley expects North Korea to supply Moscow with Soviet-era 152 mm artillery rounds. He said it was unclear how many or when.

Will it make a big difference? I doubt that, Milley told reporters traveling with him. While not downplaying the weaponry help, he said, “I doubt that it would be decisive.”

Foreign governments and analysts believe Kim will transfer ammunition to Russia in exchange for advanced weapons or technology.

Milley and other NATO defense chiefs will meet at Holmenkollen ski facility outside Oslo for several days to discuss Ukraine support and other regional defense challenges. From there, Milley will attend the Ukraine Defense Contact Group's monthly meeting in Germany on Tuesday. That group, coordinated by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, is the principal international venue for Ukraine military support.

NATO meetings occur as Ukraine forces slowly break through Russian combat lines in a counteroffensive that has not gone as planned. Kyiv leaders want more modern armaments, including longer-range missiles.