In an ominous warning on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that North Korea’s military involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine poses a threat beyond the immediate conflict with Kyiv, and it could mean Moscow is aiding Pyongyang in its nuclear development.

“The fact is, the relationship between Russia and North Korea is a two-way street,” Blinken said while speaking alongside Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha from NATO’s headquarters in Brussels. “North Korea is helping Russia and its aggression against Ukraine.

“At the same time, the support that Russia is providing to North Korea, potentially including support for its nuclear and missile programs, poses a threat to civility and security in the Korean peninsula as well,” he added.