The European Union(EU) is likely to sanction high-ranking North Korean defense officials involved in the deployment of troops to Russia. 

Bloomberg News reported on Monday that the EU’s European Commission suggested the move when it drew up a draft proposal on its sanctions package against Russia. 

Although the names of the targeted North Korean officials have not been disclosed, the EU is likely to impose sanctions against North Korean military officials who took part in the process of deploying some eleven-thousand troops to Russia’s Kursk region.

If the proposed sanctions package comes into effect with the approval of all 27 EU member states, these will be the first international sanctions regarding the presence of North Korean troops in Russia.

Meanwhile, foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations are expected to release an official statement condemning the deployment.