North Korean leader Kim offers all assistance as Russian President Putin expresses gratitude for military support aid
In a significant development, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in Beijing on the sidelines of celebrations marking the anniversary of Japan's formal surrender in World War Two.
The meeting, which was Kim's first-ever opportunity to meet Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping together, marked a significant milestone in the relations between the three nations.
The discussions between Kim and Putin focused on various aspects, including military cooperation, diplomatic ties, and North Korea's support for Russian forces. Putin praised North Korean special forces that were deployed to aid Russian troops, stating that they fought courageously and heroically. He also expressed gratitude to North Korea for the sacrifices made by their armed forces and the families of their servicemen.
Prior to the talks, Kim had a conversation with Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko and invited him to visit Pyongyang. This meeting also holds significance as North Korean troops assisted Russia in expelling Ukrainian forces from the western region of Kursk earlier this year.
Kim Jong Un's visit to Beijing was his first known trip to China since the pandemic. His last visit to Russia was in September 2023, at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, before he ceased traveling due to the pandemic. His last visit to China was in January 2019.
Kim extended his warmest greetings to Putin, addressing him as "Dear Chairman of State Affairs". He pledged his full support to Moscow, promising to assist Russia. Putin, in response, expressed his gratitude for Kim's support.
The visit was seen as a major propaganda win for Kim by North Korea expert Park Won-gon. Standing and walking side by side with Xi Jinping and Putin was a way for Kim to demonstrate his status to the world and his people, according to Park.
Both Russia and North Korea face heavy international sanctions - Russia for its war in Ukraine and North Korea for its nuclear weapons programme. Despite this, the two countries are bound by a 2024 mutual defense treaty.
The talks in Beijing provided a platform for the leaders to discuss ways to strengthen their mutual cooperation and navigate the challenges they face on the international stage. The outcome of these discussions is expected to shape the geopolitical landscape in the region in the days to come.
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