Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary unilateral ceasefire in Russia's war in Ukraine.
It's linked to Russia's celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The Kremlin is calling on Ukraine to follow suit.
A similar Russian ceasefire for Easter failed to hold.
Meanwhile,
North Korea is acknowledging it sent troops to Russia to help Moscow with its war with Ukraine.
As NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul,
North Korea had first rejected initial reports that it had deployed its troops there.
State media reported that leader Kim Jong-un ordered the deployment based on his country's mutual defense treaty with Russia and in line with the United Nations Charter.
Kim praised North Korean troops' efforts to liberate Russia's Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.
He also commended the troops' heroism and military prowess,
to which North Korea will build a monument in Pyongyang.
Russia officially confirmed the deployment on Saturday.
South Korea said last October that Pyongyang had dispatched more than 10,000 troops last year.
It added that North Korea has now admitted to committing criminal acts.
The U.S.
State Department said that third parties,
including North Korea that have perpetuated the war, will bear responsibility for it.
Anthony Kuhn in PR News, Seoul.