Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a mutual defense agreement with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, who offered his “full support” of Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
The pledge of military cooperation was part of a strategic treaty signed during a summit in Pyongyang, where Putin was making his first visit in 24 years.
“It is really a breakthrough document,” the Kremlin leader said at a press conference in North Korea’s capital. He added that it provides for mutual assistance if one party faces aggression, according to Russian news agencies.
The two countries have been allies since North Korea’s founding after World War II. They have drawn closer since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine isolated Moscow.
The United States and its allies accuse North Korea of supplying ammunition and missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine. The treaty fuels concerns about more deliveries.
Putin said Russia “does not rule out military-technical cooperation with the DPRK.” He referred to the North by its official name.
Kim referred to Putin as the “dearest friend of the Korean people.” He expressed full support and solidarity with Russia over the Ukraine war, despite UN sanctions on Moscow.
Putin said the two heavily sanctioned countries would not tolerate Western “blackmail,” and called for a review of UN sanctions on North Korea.
“The indefinite restrictive regime inspired by the U.S. and its allies at the UN Security Council toward the DPRK should be reviewed,” he said.
The Russia North Korea alliance poses new challenges for diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict.
read more
image source
