Russian President Putin to visit North Korea for first time in 24 years
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit North Korea for the first time in 24 years on Tuesday.
Putin will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for talks in the capital, Pyongyang.
The two leaders last met in September in the Russian city of Vladivostok, but this will be Putin’s first visit to Pyongyang since 2000.
The United States expressed concern about the “deepening relationship between these two countries.”
The Kremlin has described the event as a “friendly state visit,” with Russian media reporting that Putin and Kim may sign a partnership agreement, including on security issues, and will give joint statements to the media.
A parade in Kim Il Sung Square is anticipated. Putin is also expected to watch a concert and visit the Orthodox Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Pyongyang, the only Orthodox church in North Korea.
Reports indicate that Putin will stay at the Kumsusan guesthouse in Pyongyang, where Chinese leader Xi Jinping stayed during his state visit to North Korea in 2019.
Putin is expected to arrive with his new defense minister, Andrei Belousov, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak will also be part of the delegation.
Ahead of his visit, the Russian president praised North Korea for “firmly supporting” Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
In an article printed in North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun, the ruling party mouthpiece, he also vowed support for Pyongyang’s efforts to defend its interests despite “US pressure, blackmail, and military threats.”
Putin pledged to build trade and security systems with North Korea “that are not controlled by the West.”
Last week, Kim Jong Un stated that ties with Russia had “developed into an unbreakable relationship of comrades-in-arms.”
During their meeting last year, Putin noted “possibilities” for military cooperation with North Korea, while Kim wished Russia “victory” in Ukraine.
The White House expressed concern about the growing ties between Russia and North Korea.
“We’re not concerned about the trip” by Mr Putin, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday. “What we are concerned about is the deepening relationship between these two countries.”
In 2000, at the beginning of his presidency, Putin met with Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un’s father, who was the supreme leader at the time. Ties between Russia and North Korea have strengthened in recent years, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Washington and Seoul have accused Pyongyang of supplying Moscow with artillery and other equipment, likely in exchange for food, military aid, and technology. Both North Korea and Russia deny any arms deal exists.
After visiting North Korea, Putin is expected to travel to Vietnam, a communist state and long-time ally, where discussions on trade and other issues are anticipated.