In a significant diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a mutual defense treaty on Wednesday, marking a strategic alliance that includes military cooperation.
The treaty was formalized during a summit in Pyongyang, marking Putin’s first visit to North Korea in 24 years. Kim Jong Un expressed his “full support” for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine during the meeting.
“This is truly a landmark document,” Putin stated at a news conference in the North Korean capital. He highlighted that the treaty includes provisions for mutual assistance in the event of aggression against either country, as reported by Russian news agencies.
The historical allies have seen their relationship strengthen, particularly since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The United States and its allies have accused North Korea of supplying ammunition and missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict, a claim that raises concerns about further military support under the new treaty.
Putin indicated that Russia is open to “military-technical cooperation with the DPRK” under the new agreement, using the official name for North Korea. Kim Jong Un praised Putin as the “dearest friend of the Korean people” and assured his country’s “full support and solidarity with the Russian government” concerning the Ukraine war, despite numerous international sanctions against Moscow.
In return, Putin expressed gratitude for North Korea’s “consistent and unwavering” support, despite the United Nations sanctions regime imposed on North Korea since 2006 due to its weapons programs. He criticized Western “blackmail” and called for a reevaluation of UN sanctions against North Korea.
“The indefinite restrictive regime imposed by the US and its allies at the UN Security Council towards the DPRK should be reconsidered. Today, we are jointly resisting the hegemonism and neo-colonial practices of the United States and its allies,” Putin stated.
Following the summit, Putin flew to Vietnam for a state visit. Video footage from AFP captured his arrival in Hanoi early Thursday morning, marking the continuation of his diplomatic engagements in the region.
