MOSCOW: Russia on Thursday said that Moscow’s right to foster closer ties with North Korea should not be questioned or cause fear, saying the significant potential for deepening relations between the two countries.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made these remarks in response to concerns from Western countries about the possibility of Moscow altering its policy towards Pyongyang due to Western pressure over the Ukraine conflict, including fears of potential transfers of missile and nuclear technology.
“It is our neighbour, it is a friendly country with which we are developing bilateral relations. We will continue to do so in an upward direction,” Peskov stated. “The potential for the development of our relations is very deep. We believe that our right to develop good relations with our neighbours should not be of concern to anyone and cannot and should not be challenged by anyone.”
Furthermore, Russia’s Vedomosti newspaper reported on Monday that President Vladimir Putin would visit North Korea and Vietnam in the coming weeks.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, citing a senior official at the presidential office, reported early Thursday that Putin’s visit to North Korea is expected to occur in a few days.
However, Peskov declined to provide specific details regarding the date or agenda for the visit.
