Axis of evil is deepening its ties

Vladimir Putin’s urgent appeal to North Korean despot Kim Jong-un for weapons and ammunition is an ominous indication of the way the war in Ukraine is consolidating relations among the world’s worst tyrants. Already heavily reliant on thousands of combat drones being sent by Iran’s ayatollahs, Mr Putin’s request for help from Pyongyang’s murderous regime, another member of the so-called “axis of evil” (Russia, China, North Korea and Iran), also leaves no doubt about the extent to which the war in Ukraine is now reverberating far beyond Europe, even into the Asia-Pacific.

Untroubled by the inhumane savagery of Mr Putin’s onslaught against Ukraine, reports speak unsurprisingly of Mr Kim being keen to help. In return, however, he is said to be looking for Russian assistance with nuclear technology he needs to further enhance his nuclear weapons, including his ambition to build his own AUKUS-like nuclear submarines and spy satellites.

According to South Korean intelligence there is the immediate prospect, following a visit to Pyongyang last month by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, of North Korea taking part alongside Russian and Chinese warships in unprecedented naval exercises in the region. The deepening alliances among the “axis of evil”, with all three regimes, including North Korea, helping Mr Putin with his unprovoked onslaught against Ukraine, demand more help for Ukraine, not less. Otherwise, Western interests across the world, including the Asia-Pacific, will come under further threat. That is already the case not just in relation to help with weapons from North Korea and Iran for Mr Putin’s war.

An agreement on Tuesday between Saudi Arabia and Russia to extend voluntary oil production cuts and boost the price of oil is another sign of how Moscow is working to undermine the West and seek advantage for itself. The increasing involvement by the world’s most notorious tyrannies in helping Mr Putin is a timely reminder of the way Ukraine is now reverberating across the world. The challenge it represents demands resolute, intensified action by the Western democracies to do whatever it takes to ensure Mr Putin’s war ends in miserable, total failure for him.