The romance between Moscow and Pyongyang continues. Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to visit North Korea at the invitation of its leader Kim Jong-un, who is currently visiting Russia to strengthen their military ties. For the time being, however, nothing has been officially announced about a possible agreement to deliver military equipment to Russia to support its offensive in Ukraine, as suggested by Washington.
Following a meeting on Wednesday, "Kim Jong-un courteously invited Putin to visit the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) at his convenience", the official North Korean news agency KCNA reported on Thursday, using North Korea's official name. That same day, the North Korean leader assured Vladimir Putin that Moscow would win a "great victory" over its enemies.
Prospects" for military cooperation
For his part, Putin toasted the "future strengthening of cooperation" with Pyongyang, speaking to the press about the "prospects" for military cooperation with North Korea despite the international sanctions.
Following the North Korean leader's arrival in Russia on Tuesday aboard his armoured train, Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin visited facilities at the Vostotchny cosmodrome in the Far East, which was completed in 2016 and will eventually replace the historic Baikonur space base. They then held official discussions lasting around two hours with their delegations and on a one-to-one basis. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Industry Minister Denis Manturov took part in the discussions.
According to Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un will also attend a "demonstration" by the Russian navy in the Pacific in Vladivostok. The North Korean leader will also visit "civil and military" aeronautical equipment factories in the Far East, according to the Russian head of state.
Washington threatens new sanctions
The US has expressed "concern" that Russia is interested in buying North Korean munitions to support its invasion of Ukraine. "We are obviously concerned about any emerging defence relationship between North Korea and Russia," said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
In Vostotchny, Vladimir Putin raised the possibility of Russia helping Pyongyang to build satellites, after North Korea recently failed twice to put a military spy satellite into orbit. Matthew Miller, spokesman for the US State Department, expressed concern that any cooperation on satellites would be "in violation of several UN resolutions". The US "will not hesitate" to impose sanctions against Pyongyang and Moscow if necessary, he warned.
Text by 20 Minutes with AFP
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