North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un pledged full support for Russia’s war in Ukraine during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Pyongyang on Wednesday.
This visit, Putin’s first to North Korea since 2000, has heightened concerns about potential sanctions-busting military cooperation between the two nations.
The leaders signed a new “strategic partnership” deal, emphasizing their alliance against Western powers. Kim praised the “new era” in bilateral relations and expressed North Korea’s solidarity with Russia. Putin thanked Kim for his consistent support.
The summit, marked by a grand welcoming ceremony and a private one-on-one discussion, was the second meeting between the leaders in a year.
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North Korea has been accused of supplying weapons to Russia, which it denies, but there are fears that this visit may lead to further military deliveries.
The collaboration between Russia and North Korea is viewed as a way for both countries to address their respective needs—Russia for military support in Ukraine, and North Korea for food, energy, and advanced weapons. This growing partnership underscores the geopolitical complexities in Northeast Asia, as both countries seek to counter US influence in the region.
