Putin and Kim met on Wednesday in the Russian Far East. Western countries are watching closely to see if North Korea starts supplying Russia with weapons.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un met on Wednesday at the Vostochny Space Center in the Far East of Russia.
Before the talks began, Putin showed Kim a large space rocket launch center.
The leaders’ meeting lasted several hours. It focused on expanding military cooperation between Russia and North Korea in a situation where both countries’ confrontation with Western countries has intensified.
Kim’s delegation included, among others, the director of North Korea’s munitions industry department Jo Chun Ryong. According to analysts, his presence is a hint that cooperation related to the arms industry played a significant role in the discussions.
Based on the images shown on Russian television, the Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also participated in the discussions.
What did the leaders say?
In the meeting, Kim told Putin that he supports Russia’s “holy war against the West” and will fight together with Russia against “imperialism”.
At a dinner after the bilateral talks, Kim raised a glass of wine to Putin’s health and said he was confident Russia would achieve a “great victory” over its enemies.
– We are always by Russia’s side, Kim said in the footage shown by Russian television, according to the AFP news agency.
Putin, on the other hand, praised the strengthening of friendship and cooperation between the countries. Putin later told reporters that there are “possibilities” for military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
Putin previously said Moscow could help Pyongyang build satellites.
What does Russia want?
Western countries are closely monitoring whether the countries subject to sanctions agree that North Korea would supply weapons to Russia, which is waging a war of aggression in Ukraine.
US officials and experts have said that Russia wants to buy artillery ammunition from North Korea, among other things. In addition, Russia is believed to be pursuing anti-tank missiles.
A Kremlin spokesman said Pyongyang and Moscow are discussing “sensitive issues” that are not meant to be made public.
The White House warned last week that North Korea will have to pay if it supplies Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine.
What does North Korea want?
Before the meeting, experts estimated that Kim, in turn, would seek financial aid and advanced weapon technologies from Russia, such as technology related to nuclear submarines, with which North Korea could advance the nuclear program of its armed forces.
In addition, Kim may want military intelligence satellites from Russia, which North Korea has had challenges in acquiring.
Russian media following the meeting asked Putin whether Russia would help North Korea build satellites. Putin replied that “that’s why we came here”.
It is unclear how willing Putin is to implement Kim’s technology-related wishes.
How will Kim’s visit continue?
Putin said that later during his visit, Kim Jong-un will watch a demonstration of Russia’s Pacific Fleet capabilities and visit civilian and military aircraft factories.
The visit to Russia was Kim’s first trip abroad after the start of the corona pandemic. Kim had previously said that the trip highlights the “strategic importance” of relations with Russia.
Sources: AFP, AP, Reuters