North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged his full backing for Russia in its war against Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, according to North Korean state media, reports RTE.
Mr Lavrov’s trip to North Korea is the latest in a growing number of visits by senior Russian officials, as the two nations strengthen their political and military relationship amid Moscow’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine.
North Korea has reportedly deployed thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region to assist in pushing back Ukrainian forces, and has also supplied the Russian military with missiles and artillery shells, reports RTE.
The meeting between Mr Kim and Mr Lavrov took place in “an atmosphere full of warm comradely trust,” according to North Korea’s KCNA news agency.
A video shared on Telegram by Russia’s foreign ministry showed the two greeting each other with a handshake and hug, noting that the talks occurred in Wonsan, a city on North Korea’s eastern coast, where a large resort was recently opened,” reports RTE.
Mr Kim stated that North Korea was “ready to unconditionally support and encourage all the measures taken by the Russian leadership as regards the tackling of the root cause of the Ukrainian crisis,” KCNA reported.
The North Korean leader also expressed his “firm belief that the Russian army and people would surely win victory in accomplishing the sacred cause of defending the dignity and basic interests of the country”, reports RTE.
He further praised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “outstanding leadership,” according to the KCNA report.
The two officials also discussed “important matters for faithfully implementing the agreements made at the historic DPRK-Russia summit talks in June 2024,” KCNA said, using North Korea’s formal name, reports RTE.
The countries, both heavily sanctioned, had previously signed a military agreement that included a mutual defence provision during President Putin’s rare visit to North Korea last year.
Mr Lavrov relayed that Mr Putin “hopes for continued direct contacts in the very near future,” as reported by Russian state media outlet TASS, reports RTE.
Russian and North Korean outlets confirmed Mr Lavrov’s visit was scheduled to continue through today.
Earlier in the visit, Mr Lavrov met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and expressed gratitude to the “heroic” North Korean troops assisting Russia, according to TASS, reports RTE.
The foreign ministries of both countries stated they were united in their “determination to jointly counter the hegemonic aspirations of extra-regional players, which are leading to escalating tensions in Northeast Asia and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.”
Prior to the visit, Russia announced plans to start twice-weekly flights between the two nations.
Praising Wonsan, Mr Lavrov called it “a good tourist attraction,” and added: “We hope it will be popular not only with local citizens, but also with Russians,” reports RTE.
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