Putin, Kim Jong Un hug as Russian leader arrives in North Korea for anti-West summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea on Tuesday as he told Kim Jong Un that they can overcome US-led sanctions together as partners, according to Kremlin news agencies.
Putin touched down at Pyongyang’s airport early Wednesday, local time, for the first time in 24 years, where he was warmly greeted by Kim, according to Russian state media.
The two were pictured embracing in a hug on the tarmac.
The Russian president said he appreciated North Korea’s support in his war with Ukraine, claiming that the two nations can stand together to “resolutely oppose” interference from the West.
Putin’s trip is part of a two-day stay in North Korea, where the streets of Pyongyang have been decorated with portraits of the Kremlin chief and Russian flags.
A banner also hung over the streets reading, “We warmly welcome the President of the Russian Federation.”
The visit undermines the West’s efforts to keep Putin isolated amid the Ukraine war, with Putin touting that Russia and North Korea are free to develop trade and payment methods “that are not controlled by the West.”
He also slammed American-led sanctions against the two nations, which he described as illegal, “unilateral restrictions.”
Putin said the allied nations will also seek to expand cooperation in tourism, culture and education, according to Russian media.
US national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday that the Biden administration was concerned about “the deepening relationship between these two countries.”
Lim Soosuk, spokesperson of South Korea’s Foreign Ministry, said Seoul has warned Moscow that any cooperation with North Korea must not “proceed in a direction that violates UN Security Council resolutions or undermines peace and stability in the region.”
Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, suggested the trip could culminate with Putin and Kim signing a partnership agreement that would include security issues.
The possible agreement would “outline prospects for further cooperation, and will be signed taking into account what has happened between our countries in recent years – in the field of international politics, in the field of economics… including, of course, taking into account security issues,” Ushakov said.
A deeper connection between Moscow and Pyongyang could affect the outcome of the war in Ukraine, with North Korea accused of actively providing Moscow with artillery and military equipment, including ballistic missiles.
US and South Korean officials fear that in exchange for munitions, Russia may be providing North Korea with military technology capable of advancing Kim’s nuclear weapons program.
Both Russian and North Korean officials have denied the existence of an arms deal.
