©picture alliance / YONHAPNEWS AGENCY | Yonhap
Vladimir Putin received North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui at the Kremlin and thanked her for Pyongyang’s support in the war against Ukraine. According to Russian state media, he emphasized that Russia will not forget North Korea’s support and the efforts of North Korean military personnel.
Choe’s visit comes at a notable time, as Moscow and Pyongyang are visibly stepping up their political and military cooperation. According to Russian media, the North Korean minister said that Kim Jong Un had reaffirmed his commitment to further deepening relations with Russia. Meanwhile, there is speculation that the North Korean foreign minister’s trip may also serve to prepare for a visit by Kim to Russia. North Korean state media offered no explanation for the purpose of the visit, while the Kremlin merely stated that the meeting focused on bilateral relations. Ties between the two countries have strengthened significantly in recent years. Kim and Putin previously met in 2019, 2023, and 2024, and the North Korean leader has made Russia a key foreign partner now that dialogue with the United States and South Korea has virtually stalled.
For North Korea, the war in Ukraine also offers geopolitical gains. In exchange for troops and weapons, Pyongyang would receive Russian economic support and military technology, while Kim can further expand his nuclear weapons and missile programs under the guise of an international conflict. The meeting in Moscow thus underscores just how close the alliance between Russia and North Korea has become. What began as diplomatic contact has evolved into a partnership that appears to be increasingly military and strategic in nature.
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