MOSCOW — On Thursday, lawmakers in Russia approved a significant agreement with North Korea that encompasses mutual military assistance. This decision follows a confirmation from the United States regarding the deployment of 3,000 North Korean troops within Russian territory.

The State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, swiftly voted in favor of the treaty, which was initially signed by President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Pyongyang in June. The upper chamber is set to ratify the agreement in the near future.

This treaty establishes a commitment between Russia and North Korea to provide immediate military assistance by any means necessary should either country be under attack. It represents the most substantial bond between Moscow and Pyongyang since the Cold War era came to a close.

In a statement made the previous Wednesday, the U.S. indicated that 3,000 North Korean soldiers are undergoing training at various sites in Russia. The U.S. government characterized this development as highly serious, cautioning that these troops would be considered legitimate targets if they engaged in combat in Ukraine.

Both Russia and North Korea have dismissed claims from the United States and its allies that North Korea has provided Moscow with ballistic missiles and extensive quantities of artillery for deployment in Ukraine.

When queried in June about the possibility of North Korean military personnel joining Russian troops in Ukraine under the new treaty, President Putin asserted that such an action wasn’t necessary. However, he notably shifted his stance, revealing for the first time that Russia might be open to supplying weapons to North Korea.

Analysts suggest that in return for military support, Russia could potentially share advanced weaponry technologies with North Korea, which could enhance its ballistic missile programs and satellite capabilities.