Kim Jong Un told thousands of army battalion commanders to boost war-fighting preparations at a major conference in Pyongyang last week, according to state media, as North Korean troops continue to support Russian forces against Ukraine.

The DPRK leader accused the U.S. of helping Ukraine in order to “gain combat experience” and “expand the scope of military intervention across the world,” but Monday’s Rodong Sinmun reports on the event and Kim’s speech did not include mention of his own recent decision to send soldiers and weapons to Russia.

“Currently, the U.S. war profiteers are prolonging conflicts by providing military