The context of this visit is also marked by the desire of both countries to confront the pressures and sanctions imposed by Western nations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia, on September 13, 2023. (Photo: Sputnik).
Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun his first visit to North Korea in more than two decades, making an initial stop in the Russian republic of Yakutia. During his stay in Yakutia, he met with local authorities, workers and students, and emphasized the importance of strengthening relations with Pyongyang.
The visit is part of a broader strategy to cement a strategic partnership with North Korea, updating previous agreements from 1961, 2000 and 2001.
In an article published in the North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Putin highlighted defense cooperation and the intention to build a security architecture in Eurasia. In addition, he mentioned the importance of countering Western sanctions and establishing independent transaction systems between both countries. This collaboration has recently intensified, evidenced by the Russian Defense Minister’s visit to Pyongyang in 2023.
The planned agreement between Russia and North Korea will include universal principles of international law and will not be directed against any country, according to Putin’s international policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov. This pact seeks to strengthen bilateral cooperation and raise interaction to a new level.
Putin highlighted the historical friendship between Russia and North Korea, which dates back more than seven decades, and expressed his belief that joint efforts will significantly improve bilateral relations. Putin’s visit to North Korea includes meetings with North Korean leaders and is seen as a significant gesture in the current geopolitical context.
After his visit to North Korea, Putin will head to Vietnam, continuing his Asian tour. This series of visits underlines Russia’s interest in strengthening its ties with Asian countries at a time of rising tensions with the West.
The context of this visit is also marked by the desire of both countries to confront the pressures and sanctions imposed by Western nations, seeking alternatives that allow them to maintain their sovereignty and economic stability.
