MOSCOW: North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has left Russia following a rare six-day trip that appeared to solidify Pyongyang’s relations with Putin, fanning Western fears that North Korea could provide Russia with weapons for its attack on Ukraine.
North Korea’s Kim Wraps Up Russia Visit with Gift
Kim’s trip to Russia, which started on Tuesday had focused deeply on defense cooperation, AFP reported. Kim’s first official trip abroad since the Covid-19 epidemic has sparked concerns that Russia and North Korea will challenge Western sanctions to secure a weapons agreement that could help Russia continue its attack against Ukraine.
Earlier on Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow would pursue cooperation with Pyongyang despite the United Nations sanctions. He said that they did not announce sanctions against Pyongyang.
Before leaving Vladivostok, Kim was presented with 5 explosive drones and a bulletproof vest as gifts from the regional governor, AFP reported. Government officials from the two sides agreed to meet in North Korea in November, an official said.
North Korea and Russia, historic allies, are both under bundles of international sanctions – Russia for its Ukraine attack, and North Korea for its weapon tests.
During his trip, Kim Jong Un lauded Russian aviation technology undergoing quick development, beating the external potential threats. Russian President Putin and Kim Jong Un exchanged views on military affairs, the conflict in Ukraine and cooperation when they held a meeting on Wednesday.
Moscow said on Friday that North Korea and Russia had not inked any deals on military matters or on any other fields during Kim’s trip to Russia this week.
Earlier, Russian President Putin accepted an invitation from Kim Jong Un to visit North Korea, official news agency KCNA reported on Thursday. It added that the Russian leader accepted the invitation with pleasure and reiterated his will to consistently carry forward the history and tradition of the Russia-North Korea friendship.
