Vladimir Putin is set to visit North Korea in a bid to secure ongoing military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, marking his first trip to the isolated nation since 2000.
During his visit, Putin will engage in one-on-one discussions with Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang.
The two leaders aim to strengthen their security and economic ties, despite facing Western sanctions.
Putin is anticipated to arrive in North Korea late on Tuesday, accompanied by a significant delegation of government ministers and advisors, including key figures in the Russian military and weapons procurement sectors, such as his new defense minister, Andrey Belousov, and Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated, “The program is very full,” highlighting that much time will be dedicated to informal talks between the leaders, as these negotiations will address “the most important and most sensitive questions.”
This visit is a rare international trip for Putin, who has largely confined his travels to friendly nations since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and becoming subject to an international criminal court arrest warrant over the mass deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
North Korea has been a vital ally for Russia, supplying millions of rounds of Soviet-era artillery munitions, which have been crucial in sustaining Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine.
Last month, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin informed lawmakers that these munitions, along with Iranian drones, had significantly bolstered the Russian military.
In addition to artillery, North Korea has provided Russia with ballistic missiles and electronic equipment for the war.
In exchange, Russia is believed to have aided North Korea’s satellite program, and offered other arms, economic aid, and diplomatic support.
Kim Jong-un visited Russia’s far east last year, where he met Putin in Vladivostok, toured a fighter jet factory, and visited the Vostochny cosmodrome.
The White House has expressed concern over the deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated on Monday, “We’re not concerned about the trip [by Putin]… What we are concerned about is the deepening relationship between these two countries.”
He highlighted the ongoing use of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukrainian targets and the potential security implications for the Korean peninsula.
In an article for Korea’s Central News Agency on Tuesday, Putin commended North Korea for “firmly supporting” Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
He expressed his intention to elevate relations with North Korea and pledged unwavering support, as reported by KCNA ahead of his visit.
Russian agencies, citing a Kremlin aide, indicated that Putin and Kim Jong-un will sign “important documents” during the visit, potentially including a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” to outline future cooperation and address security issues.
Experts believe that any new agreements will primarily focus on enhancing defense cooperation.
Patrick Cronin, chair for Asia-Pacific Security at the Hudson Institute, told Yonhap news agency, “Moscow and Pyongyang want to leverage the perception that their ties are long term and increasingly integrated regarding defense…
Regardless of the words used, current relations will focus on defense cooperation.”
South Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik revealed in an interview with Bloomberg News that Seoul had identified at least 10,000 shipping containers suspected of carrying artillery ammunition and other weapons from North Korea to Russia.
These containers could hold up to 4.8 million shells.
In comparison, EU countries have struggled to meet their goal of supplying 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine over the past year, delivering only half that amount.
“Putin is expected to seek closer security cooperation with North Korea, especially military supplies such as artillery shells that are necessary to seize a chance to win,” Shin told Bloomberg News.
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