Russian President Putin to Make Historic Visit to North Korea
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit North Korea this week, marking the first visit by a Russian leader in 24 years. The trip underscores the growing partnership between Moscow and the nuclear-armed state.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un extended the invitation to Putin during his visit to Russia’s Far East in September. The Kremlin confirmed the visit, stating that Putin will embark on a state visit to North Korea on June 18-19.
This visit comes amidst concerns about potential military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly in light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. There are speculations about a possible arms arrangement between the two countries.
Experts believe that North Korea could provide artillery munitions and short-range ballistic missiles to Russia in exchange for higher-end weapons. Despite concerns, Russia sees the visit as an opportunity to strengthen ties with North Korea and challenge the influence of the US and its allies.
Putin’s visit to North Korea will be followed by a visit to Vietnam on Wednesday and Thursday, highlighting Russia’s efforts to expand its presence in the region.