Russian President Putin will be making a state visit to North Korea on June 18 and 19 at the invitation of leader Kim, according to the Central News Agency of North Korea. While North Korean state media did not provide specific details about the meeting, Russia confirmed the “friendly” visit through a simultaneous announcement.
According to Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin’s international adviser, informal contacts between the leaders would be a key focus of the negotiations. Sensitive issues would be addressed during these discussions, he noted. Ushakov emphasized that there would be a “face to face” meeting between Putin and Kim, as well as meetings in different formats involving other members of the delegations. The Russian delegation includes top officials such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, and the Minister of Defense, Andrei Beloúsov, among others.
Kim has previously referred to Putin as a close comrade and expressed support for Russia’s army and people. In September 2023, Kim made a historic visit to Russia, where he was received by Putin. The official visit signaled North Korea’s commitment to strengthening ties with Russia. However, following escalating tensions and sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, observers have expressed concerns over potential military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Reports suggest that North Korea may have shipped weapons to Russia in exchange for military technology and ammunition.
Despite these concerns, it is important to note that historical ties between Russia and North Korea date back to the Korean War era and the Cold War period. Both countries have shared a complex relationship shaped by political ideology and military cooperation. While the world closely monitors their diplomatic exchanges and military engagements
