Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, has commended North Korea for their backing in Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. Putin is heading to Pyongyang to secure ongoing military aid, thereby making a rare visit abroad especially to an immensely secluded nation.
Since his last trip in 2000, this will be Putin’s first voyage to North Korea. He is scheduled for a private discussion with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un. During the meeting, these leaders will endorse their intention to enhance security and economic collaboration, flouting the sanctions levied by the west on both nations.
Agence France-Presse reports that Putin is projected to touch down in North Korea later on Tuesday. Accompanying him will be numerous government officials and consultants, involving personalities who oversee Russia’s defence and procure arms. Among them are Andrey Belousov, the recent defence minister, and Denis Manturov, who is the leading deputy prime minister in charge of the defence sector.
On Tuesday, Putin expressed his gratitude to North Korea via an article for the Korean Central News Agency. He appreciated their unwavering support in Russia’s Ukrainian conflict, announcing his intentions to fortify the ties with Pyongyang.
His international travels have been largely restricted to allied nations since initiating a comprehensive assault and subsequently landing on the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant list due to the mass relocation of youngsters from Ukraine to Russia.
North Korea has been a pivotal lifeline for Russia, providing countless Soviet-era artillery shells to uphold the Russian military operation in Ukraine. During the previous month, The US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin stated that the ammunition, missiles, and Iranian drones supplied by North Korea had facilitated Russia’s resurgence on the battlefield.
Furthermore, North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and electronic gear for use in the martial efforts.
Responding to this, it is suspected that Russia has supported North Korea’s satellite programme and provided them with additional weapons, financial aid and diplomatic backup. Last year, Kim Jong-un visited the far east of Russia and had a meeting with Putin in Vladivostok. Here, he toured a modern fighter jet factory and the Vostochny cosmodrome.
On Monday, The White House announced that it is disturbed about the growing bond between Russia and North Korea, with John Kirby, the national security council spokesperson, explaining to the press that their worry lies in the strengthening alliance of these two countries, not in Putin’s journey.
Kirby expressed concern that North Korean ballistic missiles are reportedly being utilised to target Ukraine. This, however, isn’t the sole worry. Security on the Korean peninsula could also be compromised due to possible retaliation. Russian media outlets, referencing a Kremlin official, announced on Monday the imminent signing of “significant documents” amidst the visit of the two leaders. Beyond this, the expectation is a “treaty of comprehensive strategic partnership” that’ll highlight future collaborations and address “matters of security”, as inferred from the statements of Yuri Ushakov, an aide in the Kremlin, which were reported by the Russian state-controlled press. Despite this, insiders believe that new commitments will primarily aim to strengthen defence relationships between the two nations, reported the Guardian.