Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit North Korea for the first time in 24 years, following his praise for the country’s steadfast support of Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. The visit is scheduled for Tuesday, where Putin will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the capital.
The last meeting between the two leaders was in September at Russia’s Vostochny cosmodrome. In a letter published in North Korean state media, Putin pledged to develop trade and security systems with Pyongyang, independent of Western control.
He also expressed support for North Korea amidst “US pressure, blackmail, and military threats,” as stated in an article in Rodong Sinmun, the ruling party’s newspaper.
The US has expressed concern over the deepening relationship between the two nations. The Kremlin has labeled the event as a “friendly state visit,” with Russian media suggesting that Putin and Kim may sign a partnership agreement, including security matters, and address the media jointly.
A parade in Kim Il Sung square is expected, and Putin is also likely to attend a concert and visit the Orthodox Church of the Life-Giving Trinity, the only orthodox church in North Korea. Reports suggest that Putin will stay at the Kumsusan guesthouse, where Chinese leader Xi Jinping resided during his 2019 visit to North Korea.
Putin’s delegation includes his new defense minister, Andrei Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. Last week, Kim described Russia-North Korea ties as an “unbreakable relationship of comrades-in-arms.”
During their meeting last year, Putin mentioned “possibilities” for military cooperation with North Korea, while Kim wished Russia victory in Ukraine. The White House has expressed concern over the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea.
John Nilsson-Wright, head of the Japan and Koreas programme at Cambridge University’s Centre for Geopolitics, said Putin is reinforcing ties with its Cold War ally to counter any perception that the US and its allies have isolated Moscow. After North Korea, Putin is expected to visit Vietnam, a Communist state and long-time ally, to discuss trade and other issues.
