14th September 2023, Mumbai: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit North Korea during their recent talks in Russia, and Putin has accepted the invitation, according to reports from Pyongyang’s state media KCNA (Korean Central News Agency).
Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia
The meeting between the two leaders occurred during Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia, where he expressed “full and unconditional support” for Russia. Kim also expressed his commitment to fostering stable, future-oriented relations between the two countries for the next 100 years.
Both leaders agreed to strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation
During the meeting, Kim made an indirect reference to the situation in Ukraine, stating that Russia was engaged in a just fight to defend its sovereign rights, security, and interests against hegemonic forces. He reiterated North Korea’s support for Russia on the anti-imperialist and independence fronts. Both leaders agreed to strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation in the face of what they referred to as “military threats, provocations, and tyranny of imperialists.”
Moscow and Pyongyang have denied such intentions.
The United States and South Korea have expressed concerns that North Korea might provide weapons and ammunition to Russia amid the conflict in Ukraine. However, both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied such intentions. The U.S. State Department stated that the Biden administration would not hesitate to impose additional sanctions on Moscow and North Korea if they were found to be engaging in any new arms deals that violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The situation in the region continues to evolve, with diplomatic efforts and concerns from various parties regarding potential arms deals and cooperation between North Korea and Russia.
By Yashika Desai