By Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea early on Wednesday for a rare visit, aiming to strengthen cooperation with the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, in the face of intensifying confrontations with the United States. The visit, Putin’s first to North Korea in 24 years, comes amid growing concerns about an arms arrangement between the two nations.
Upon his arrival in Pyongyang, Putin was greeted by Kim at the airport, where they shook hands and embraced. The North Korean leader personally guided Putin to the Kumsusan State Guest House, a gesture described by the Korean Central News Agency as a historic event demonstrating the “invincibility and durability” of the two nations’ friendship and unity.
In comments published by North Korean state media hours before his arrival, Putin expressed his appreciation for the country’s firm support of his military actions in Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2022. He emphasized the countries’ shared goal of opposing Western ambitions to hinder the establishment of a multipolar world order based on justice, mutual respect for sovereignty, and consideration of each other’s interests.
The visit has raised concerns about a potential arms deal, in which North Korea would provide Russia with much-needed munitions for its war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile program.
In Pyongyang, the streets were adorned with portraits of Putin and Russian flags, with a banner on a building welcoming the Russian President. Putin also stated that Russia and North Korea would develop trade and payment systems not controlled by the West and jointly oppose sanctions against their countries, which he described as “illegal, unilateral restrictions.”
Both North Korea and Russia are grappling with economic sanctions imposed by the United States and its Western partners. North Korea is under heavy U.N. Security Council sanctions due to its nuclear weapons and missile programs, while Russia faces sanctions over its aggression in Ukraine.
Putin, accompanied by top officials including Deputy Prime Minister Denis Mantrurov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, is expected to sign several documents during the visit, possibly including an agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership.
U.S. and South Korean officials have noted a sharp increase in military, economic, and other exchanges between North Korea and Russia since Kim and Putin’s meeting in September 2019 in the Russian Far East.
As the two leaders seek to strengthen their ties and counter U.S.-led sanctions, the international community will closely monitor the developments and potential implications of this rare visit.
AP
