Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised North Korea for “firmly supporting” Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine, forward of his first go to to Pyongyang in 24 years.
Mr Putin is anticipated to reach within the capital to fulfill North Korean chief Kim Jong Un on Tuesday.
The 2 leaders final met in September on the Vostochny cosmodrome in Russia’s far east, however that is Mr Putin’s first go to to Pyongyang since 2000.
In a letter revealed in North Korean state media, Mr Putin promised to construct commerce and safety programs with Pyongyang “that aren’t managed by the West”.
President Putin additionally vowed help for Pyongyang’s efforts to defend its pursuits regardless of what he referred to as “US strain, blackmail and navy threats”, within the article printed in Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s ruling get together mouthpiece.
He mentioned the 2 nations would proceed to “resolutely oppose” what he described as Western ambitions “to hinder the institution of a multipolarised world order primarily based on mutual respect for justice”.
America mentioned it was involved concerning the “deepening relationship between these two nations”.
The Kremlin has described the occasion as a “pleasant state go to” with Russian media reporting Mr Putin and Mr Kim might signal a partnership settlement, together with on safety points, and can give joint statements to the media.
A parade in Kim Il Sung sq. is anticipated. Mr Putin can also be anticipated to look at a live performance and go to the Orthodox Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Pyongyang, the one orthodox church in North Korea.
There are stories Mr Putin will keep on the Kumsusan guesthouse in Pyongyang, the place Chinese language chief Xi Jinping final stayed throughout his state go to to North Korea in 2019.
Mr Putin is anticipated to reach together with his new defence minister, Andrei Belousov, whereas Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak can even be a part of the delegation.
Mr Kim mentioned final week that ties with Russia had “developed into an unbreakable relationship of comrades-in-arms”.
Throughout their assembly final yr, Mr Putin mentioned he noticed “potentialities” for navy cooperation with North Korea, whereas Mr Kim wished Russia’s president “victory” in Ukraine.
The White Home mentioned the US is worried about nearer ties between Russia and North Korea.
“We’re not involved concerning the journey” by Mr Putin, Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby informed reporters on Monday. “What we’re involved about is the deepening relationship between these two nations.”
John Nilsson-Wright, head of the Japan and Koreas programme at Cambridge College’s Centre for Geopolitics, mentioned Mr Putin is “strengthening ties with its previous Chilly Battle companion” in an effort to “counter any suggestion that the US and its allies have been capable of isolate Moscow”.
“He’s bolstering relations between authoritarian regimes at a time when democratic governments are in a defensive place, confronting world safety challenges” within the Center East, East Asia and Ukraine, he added.
In 2000, in the beginning of his presidential profession, Mr Putin met Mr Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, who was nonetheless supreme chief.
Ties between the 2 pariah states have elevated lately, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
North Korea wants assist with area know-how after its current failure to place a second spy satellite tv for pc into orbit – in addition to meals, gasoline, and overseas forex.
Whereas Russia faces a continued scarcity of weapons in its conflict in Ukraine.
Washington and Seoul have accused Pyongyang of supplying Moscow with artillery and different gear, almost certainly in trade for meals and navy support and know-how. Each North Korea and Russia deny the existence of an arms deal.
After North Korea, Mr Putin is anticipated to go to Vietnam, a Communist state and long-time ally, the place each nations are anticipated to debate points akin to commerce.