Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday signed a new partnership agreement that includes a pledge of mutual support in the event of an attack on either country in a summit that took place amidst escalating tensions between both nations and the West.
Kim said that the “burning friendship” between Moscow and Pyongyang is even stronger than it was during Soviet times, as this partnership can represent the strongest association since the end of the USSR in 1991.
Kim said that this was “the most powerful contract ever made” with Russia becoming his ally supporting its war in Ukraine. Putin has called it a “landmark paper” which he believes will launch their relations to another level once they start implementing it.
Putin admitted to Kim at one point during their talk that security issues were discussed heavily. He also told him that Russia doesn’t rule out possibility of establishing military technical cooperation with North Korea on these terms.
“I have no doubt it will become a driving force accelerating the creation of a new multipolar world.” These words came from Kim stressing especially how peaceful and defensive pact is.
According to Russian state media, agreements were reached on healthcare, medical education and science by Russia and North Korea during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, says Russian state media reports citing Kremlin website
When he arrived, Kim met him shaking hands twice before hugging him; then he led him into his car which was being driven along well-lit streets decorated with huge Russian flags and portraits of Putin. It heralded his arrival in grand style.
The first thing Putin did when talks started was to express gratitude for North Korea’s backing up his Ukrainian war which he saw as part of “struggle against imperialist hegemonistic policies by USA and its allies towards RF.”
He raised concerns over Russia’s actions towards Ukraine saying “I promise full support and solidarity to government, army and people who are carrying out special military operation in Ukraine aimed at preservation of sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity.”
He also added that the relations between the two countries date back to World War II when Soviet forces fought against Japanese military on the Korean Peninsula and during which Moscow supported Pyongyang’s resistance against invasion.
Putin’s visit to North Korea is his first in 24 years, coming at a time when there are growing fears among US allies over an arms deal whereby North Korea provides Russia with much-needed munitions for its Ukrainian war while getting economic aid and technology transfers in return that could exacerbate Kim Jong’s nuclear weapons and missile program.
Even though no details were provided about this partnership agreement by both leaders, they still acknowledged it as a major step forward in their bilateral ties.
Both North Korea and Russia have been sanctioned by global community. The fact that North Korea was under heavy UN Security Council sanctions due to its weapons program. Also, Russia is being punished by US and its partners from West because of aggression in Ukraine.
