Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed off on a landmark defense pact with North Korea, a deal that comes amid reports that Pyongyang has dispatched thousands of troops to fight against Ukraine.Putin struck the deal during a visit to North Korea in June, but it had to pass through Russia’s parliament and signed by the Kremlin leader to come into force.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Kremlin published the signed law ratifying the treaty on its website on Saturday evening.The agreement formalizes months of deepening security cooperation between the two nations, which were Communist allies throughout the Cold War.North Korea has become one of the most vocal and important backers of Russia’s full-scale offensive on Ukraine.The deal obligates both states to provide military assistance “without delay” in the case of an attack on the other.It also commits them to cooperate internationally to oppose Western sanctions and coordinate