Kim Jong Un of North Korea vows unwavering support, while Putin appreciates military assistance provided in the conflict.

In the heart of Beijing, historic moments unfolded as world leaders gathered to commemorate Japan's formal surrender in World War Two. Among the distinguished guests was North Korea's Kim Jong Un, who seized the opportunity to engage with an array of international figures.

Kim Jong Un met with China's President Xi Jinping and Russia's President Vladimir Putin during the events. The encounter between Kim and Putin took place on the sidelines of the celebrations, offering the North Korean leader his first-ever chance to mingle with more than two dozen other national leaders who attended the events.

Putin expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices made by North Korean armed forces and their families, while praising the North Korean special forces that were deployed to help Russian troops. Kim Jong Un, in response, pledged his full support to Vladimir Putin, promising to do "everything I can to assist" Moscow.

The meeting between the two leaders was followed by a private bilateral discussion, during which Kim and Putin travelled in the same car to a state guesthouse. The conversation was considered a significant gesture, as it allowed Kim Jong Un to demonstrate his status to the world and his people by standing and walking side by side with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

The visit to China, Kim Jong Un's first since the pandemic, also provided him with the opportunity to meet Putin and Xi Jinping together. The Beijing visit is considered a major propaganda win for Kim Jong Un, according to North Korea expert Park Won-gon.

It is worth noting that Russia and North Korea are bound by a mutual defense treaty set to take effect in 2024. This treaty further strengthens the alliance between the two nations, as seen in their recent collaboration, with North Korean troops assisting Russia in expelling Ukrainian forces from the western region of Kursk this year.

Putin extended his warmest greetings to Kim, addressing him as "Dear Chairman of State Affairs." Kim, in turn, told Putin, "If there is anything I can or must do for you and the Russian people, I consider it my duty as a fraternal obligation."

These meetings and exchanges mark a significant chapter in the international relations between these nations, underscoring the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in a rapidly changing world.

Kim Jong Un of North Korea vows unwavering support, while Putin appreciates military assistance provided in the conflict.