Putin Arrives in North Korea, Vows Support Against the US Putin issued a presidential order indicating Moscow's intention to sign a "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" with North Korea.
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SEOUL/MOSCOW/NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea on Wednesday, marking his first visit in 24 years. He pledged to enhance trade and security relations with the secretive, nuclear-armed nation and to support it against the United States.
Russian state media showed images of Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shaking hands, embracing, and conversing beside Putin’s plane, which landed in Pyongyang at about 2:45 a.m. after a stopover in Russia’s far east. The leaders then traveled together in the same limousine and entered Putin’s hotel.
The U.S. and its Asian allies are assessing the extent of Russia’s support for North Korea, which is the only country to have conducted nuclear tests in the 21st century.
Indicating a shift in Russia’s approach to North Korea, Putin commended Pyongyang for resisting what he described as U.S. economic pressure, blackmail, and threats.
In an article published by North Korean state media, Putin praised “Comrade” Kim and pledged to “jointly resist illegitimate unilateral restrictions,” aiming to boost trade and security across Eurasia.
“Washington, by refusing to honor previously agreed terms, consistently imposes new, increasingly stringent and clearly unacceptable demands,” Putin wrote in the article featured on the front page of North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun, the ruling Workers’ Party’s newspaper.
“Russia has always supported and will continue to support the DPRK and the heroic Korean people in their fight against the insidious, dangerous, and aggressive enemy.”
On the eve of his visit, Putin issued a presidential order indicating Moscow’s intention to sign a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” with North Korea. His foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, mentioned that the treaty would address security issues.
Ushakov clarified that the agreement would not target any specific country but would “outline prospects for further cooperation.”
Putin recalled that the Soviet Union was the first to recognize the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, established by Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il Sung, less than two years before the Korean War began in 1950.
North Korean state media also published articles lauding Russia and supporting its military actions in Ukraine, describing them as a “sacred war of all Russian citizens.”
Putin’s visit occurs amid U.S. allegations that North Korea has provided “dozens of ballistic missiles and over 11,000 containers of munitions to Russia” for its invasion of Ukraine. South Korea, a close U.S. ally, has expressed similar concerns.
The White House expressed alarm on Monday over the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea. The U.S. State Department stated it was “quite certain” that Putin would seek arms to support his war in Ukraine.
Moscow and Pyongyang have denied transferring arms but have pledged to enhance military cooperation, potentially including joint exercises.
Russia is expected to surpass the entire NATO military alliance in ammunition production this year, making Putin’s visit a clear signal to Washington of Moscow’s disruptive potential in various global conflicts.
In March, Russia vetoed the annual renewal of a panel of experts monitoring the enforcement of longstanding U.N. sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
The visit will feature private discussions between the two leaders, along with a gala concert, state reception, honor guards, document signings, and a media statement, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency quoting Putin’s aide Ushakov.
The Russian delegation will include Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the ministers of natural resources, health, and transport, the heads of the Russian space agency and its railways, and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees energy.
Ahead of Putin’s visit, North Korea appeared to be preparing for a possible military parade in downtown Pyongyang, as indicated by commercial satellite imagery.
The summit represents the most significant threat to U.S. national security since the Korean War, stated Victor Cha, a former U.S. national security official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“This relationship, rooted in history and revitalized by the war in Ukraine, jeopardizes the security of Europe, Asia, and the U.S. homeland,” Cha wrote in a report on Monday.
North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions for its ballistic missile and nuclear programs since 2006, with these measures being reinforced over the years.
The Security Council remains divided on how to address Pyongyang. Russia and China argue that more sanctions will not help, while Washington and its Asian allies accuse Beijing and Moscow of encouraging North Korea by shielding it from further sanctions.
After visiting North Korea, Putin is scheduled to visit Vietnam on Wednesday and Thursday.
-With Input From Agency
– Dr. Shahid Siddiqui; Follow via X @shahidsiddiqui