The Kremlin intends to improve relations between Russia and North Korea. The announcement comes less than a month after Moscow officials visited Pyongyang to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War.
The July delegation focussed particularly on strengthening military ties. In a statement this week, the Kremlin leader stressed that he hopes to foster further cooperation in “all areas.” He said:
I am sure that we will continue to build up bilateral cooperation in all areas for the benefit of our peoples, in the interests of strengthening stability and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asian region as a whole.
AFP added that Putin said it was during the “harsh wartime” of World War II that the seeds were sown for a close bond between Moscow and Pyongyang.
China has also been present in these gestures—a clear indicator of Russia’s effective complete split from the West following the invasion of Ukraine. Chinese officials stood alongside those sent from Moscow in the first group of international visitors to North Korea since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Putin’s latest statement of friendship with Pyongyang also came as China’s Defense Minister Li Shangfu began a six-day trip to Russia and Belarus. The same official has made a point of ‘ghosting’ the U.S. since coming into office earlier this year.
Politico reports that the Chinese visit comes as Beijing is looking to move forward with Russia on plans for a moon base by the 2030s.
Putin’s message to North Korea, meanwhile, was warmly received by Kim Jong Un, who himself wrote:
I am firmly convinced that the friendship and solidarity … will be further developed into a long-standing strategic relationship in conformity with the demand of the new era. The two countries will always emerge victorious, strongly supporting and cooperating with each other in the course of achieving their common goal and cause.
