Kim Jong Un, the North Korean strongman, has pledged his country’s “full support” for the Russian war in Ukraine as Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang on a high-profile visit.
Kim was speaking just before the start of a one-on-one meeting on Wednesday with President Putin, who was on his first trip to the North Korean capital in 24 years.
Kim aims to expand economic and military cooperation with Russia and show a united front against Washington, according to an Associated Press report cited by ABC News.
Putin thanked Kim for his support in the conflict in Ukraine and said that Moscow would ratify a deal with Pyongyang to improve ties as both countries “fight against the imperialist hegemonistic policies of the U.S. and its satellites against the Russian Federation,” AP reported.
Cheering crowds and lavish ceremonies greeted Putin on Wednesday in Pyongyang, as an honor guard including mounted soldiers, and a large crowd of civilians gathered at the Kim Il Sung Square by the Taedong River running through the capital, video broadcast by Russian media showed. The scene included children holding balloons, and giant portraits of the two leaders with national flags adorning the square's main building.
Kim and Putin then rode to the Kumsusan Palace for summit talks.
“We highly appreciate your consistent and unwavering support for Russian policy, including in the Ukrainian direction,” Russian state news agency RIA quoted Putin as saying at the start of the talks.
Kim said North Korea-Russia relations are entering a period of “new high prosperity.”
“Now the situation in the world is becoming more complicated and changing rapidly. In such a situation, we intend to further strengthen strategic communication with Russia, with the Russian leadership,” Kim said.
Putin arrived at Pyongyang’s airport earlier in the day. After Kim welcomed him with an embrace, the two shared “pent-up inmost thoughts” during the ride to the state guest house, North Korean state media said.
Putin is on his first trip to Pyongyang in almost a quarter of a century, a visit likely to reshape decades of Russia-North Korea relations at a time when both countries face international isolation.
Russia has used its warming ties with North Korea to needle Washington, while heavily sanctioned Pyongyang has won political backing and promises of economic support and trade from Moscow.
The United States and its allies say they fear Russia could provide aid for North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, which are banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions, and have accused Pyongyang of providing ballistic missiles and artillery shells that Russia has used in its war in Ukraine.
Moscow and Pyongyang have denied weapons transfers.
Kim aims to expand economic and military cooperation with Russia and show a united front against Washington, according to an Associated Press report cited by ABC News.
Putin thanked Kim for his support in the conflict in Ukraine and said that Moscow would ratify a deal with Pyongyang to improve ties as both countries “fight against the imperialist hegemonistic policies of the U.S. and its satellites against the Russian Federation,” AP reported.
Cheering crowds and lavish ceremonies greeted Putin on Wednesday in Pyongyang, as an honor guard including mounted soldiers, and a large crowd of civilians gathered at the Kim Il Sung Square by the Taedong River running through the capital, video broadcast by Russian media showed. The scene included children holding balloons, and giant portraits of the two leaders with national flags adorning the square's main building.
Kim and Putin then rode to the Kumsusan Palace for summit talks.
“We highly appreciate your consistent and unwavering support for Russian policy, including in the Ukrainian direction,” Russian state news agency RIA quoted Putin as saying at the start of the talks.
Kim said North Korea-Russia relations are entering a period of “new high prosperity.”
“Now the situation in the world is becoming more complicated and changing rapidly. In such a situation, we intend to further strengthen strategic communication with Russia, with the Russian leadership,” Kim said.
Putin arrived at Pyongyang’s airport earlier in the day. After Kim welcomed him with an embrace, the two shared “pent-up inmost thoughts” during the ride to the state guest house, North Korean state media said.
Putin is on his first trip to Pyongyang in almost a quarter of a century, a visit likely to reshape decades of Russia-North Korea relations at a time when both countries face international isolation.
Russia has used its warming ties with North Korea to needle Washington, while heavily sanctioned Pyongyang has won political backing and promises of economic support and trade from Moscow.
The United States and its allies say they fear Russia could provide aid for North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, which are banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions, and have accused Pyongyang of providing ballistic missiles and artillery shells that Russia has used in its war in Ukraine.
Moscow and Pyongyang have denied weapons transfers.
Source: abcnews.go.com, Reuters
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