Seoul: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea for a summit early Wednesday and received a red carpet welcome from its leader Kim Jong Un, as the two nations as the two nations aim to deepen cooperation amid US-led sanctions. This marks Putin’s first visit in 24 years, focusing notably on securing North Korea’s ongoing support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine during his two-day stay.
The two leaders are expected to ink a ‘new strategic partnership agreement, with Russian President Putin stating that they aim to “shape the architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia,” according to the Kremlin. Additionally, both countries plan to expand cooperation in tourism, culture, and education.
Putin’s arrival in North Korea comes amid growing concerns about an arrangement in which Pyongyang provides Moscow with badly needed munitions to fuel Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in where Pyongyang provides munitions to Moscow for its Ukraine campaign in exchange for economic assistance and technology to bolster North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.
Before his arrival, the Russian president expressed gratitude to North Korea for its firm support in its invasion of Ukraine. The military, economic, and other exchanges between the two nations have surged since Kim visited Russia in September, their first meeting since 2019. Following their landmark summit, Pyongyang began supplying weapons to Russia as its weapons stockpiles dwindled.
Putin has consistently worked to strengthen Moscow’s ties with Pyongyang, aiming to restore Russia’s influence and revive Soviet-era alliances. Relations between the two nations waned after the Soviet collapse in 1991.
Kim Jong Un first met with Putin in 2019 in Vladivostok, Russia’s eastern port city.
After North Korea, Putin is scheduled to visit Vietnam on Wednesday and Thursday for trade-focused talks.
Meanwhile, the United States has been enhancing relations and trade with Vietnam and criticized Putin’s visit, stating “As Russia continues to seek international support for its illegal and brutal war against Ukraine, we reiterate that no country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression or normalize his atrocities,” according to a US Embassy spokesperson in Vietnam.
(Inputs from AP)
Weapons, Sanctions, Tourism and Education: What’s on Card as Putin Gets Red Carpet Welcome by Kim world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
