The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has signed with the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, this Wednesday (06/19/2024) the announced “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement” that will structure bilateral relations, the Tass agency reported, in a time when Pyongyang and Moscow have decided to further strengthen their ties to counter Washington and its allies. The content of the document was not initially detailed, although Putin later stated that it includes mutual assistance in case of “aggression.” The agreement signing ceremony took place after both leaders held a private meeting of about two hours.
Putin himself, quoted by Russian state media, previously spoke of a “fundamental document” for relations between Russia and North Korea. The Russian president, in his first visit to Pyongyang in 24 years, invited ruler Kim Jong-un to visit Russia again, this time to Moscow, after the two last met in Vladivostok in September. The two leaders also exchanged gifts during the visit. Kim received a tea set and a luxurious Russian-made Aurus car, said Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov, who did not detail what gifts Putin received but suggested they were related to Putin’s image, “including busts.”
Putin thanked his host Kim for his unwavering support of Russian policy, including in Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Something that the North Korean president himself insisted on in later statements: “North Korea expresses full support and solidarity with the Russian government, army and people in carrying out a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity,” Kim said.
According to observers, the visit is aimed at securing more weapons supplies from Pyongyang for the war against Ukraine. The United States accuses North Korea of supplying Russia with weapons and ammunition for the invasion. According to the White House, the two sides agreed last year to supply Russia with North Korean missiles and artillery munitions, which Moscow uses in the war. This is suspected to be in exchange for the transfer of key military technologies to Pyongyang, which is subject to international sanctions due to its nuclear program. Both countries have denied any such cooperation.
lgc (efe, dpa, afp)
Updated at 11:35 CET to add that the agreement includes mutual assistance in case of aggression.
