Kim Jong-un expresses “full support” for Russia’s war against Ukraine
20 June 2024 12:24
At a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in the DPRK on an official visit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed “full support” for Russia’s war against Ukraine and promised to strengthen strategic ties with Moscow. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Yonhap
Kim Jong-un said that relations between the two countries are “entering a new period of prosperity,” praising Russia’s role in the global strategic balance and promising to “strengthen strategic cooperation” with Russia.
The North Korean dictator stressed that the DPRK government “expresses its full support and solidarity with the Russian government, army and people in conducting a ‘special military operation’ (as the war is called in Russia – Ed.) in Ukraine to protect the sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity”.
Russian dictator Putin thanked Kim for Pyongyang’s support of Moscow’s policy towards Ukraine and said that a new “fundamental document” had been prepared that would become the basis for relations between the two countries.
Reuters reported that after the talks, they signed a pact on a “comprehensive strategic partnership”, which, according to Putin, contained provisions for mutual defence in the event of aggression against either country.
Putin has accused the United States, South Korea and Japan of raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and said North Korea has the right to strengthen its own defence. Kim said the pact would expand cooperation in politics, economy and defence, calling it “peaceful and defensive” in nature.
It is worth noting that Vladimir Putin visited Kim Jong Un for the first time in 24 years. The visit is a significant gesture of goodwill towards the North Korean leader. Meanwhile, the Kremlin’s “Fuhrer” is using the trip to get additional assistance from the DPRK.
The United States and its allies say they fear that Russia could provide assistance to North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes, which are banned by UN Security Council resolutions, and have accused Pyongyang of providing ballistic missiles and artillery shells that Russia used in its war against Ukraine.
