North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has pledged "full support and solidarity" for Russia's conflict in Ukraine, while President Vladimir Putin defended Moscow's hegemonic and imperialist policy during their meeting in Pyongyang. The Russian president is making his first visit to North Korea in 24 years, aiming to deepen military cooperation while denying the shipment of weapons. The two leaders have signed a new agreement that will serve as the foundation for their future relations, with the Kremlin withholding information on the new comprehensive strategic partnership treaty's contents.
North Korea has been subject to severe sanctions from the UN Security Council for many years due to its nuclear weapons and missile programs. Due to the invasion of Ukraine, Russia is now contending with sanctions imposed by the US and its allies. Russia and China, the principal backer of North Korea, have consistently obstructed attempts by the US to enforce further UN sanctions in response to North Korea's missile launches and nuclear tests. A Russian veto in March put a stop to UN sanctions monitoring, prompted charges from the West that Moscow was trying to dodge scrutiny as it purchases weaponry from Pyongyang for use in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia attempted to develop and strengthen relations with countries that could provide it with what it needs to continue the war of aggression against Ukraine. North Korea is giving Russia a lot of munitions and other weapons to use in Ukraine, and concerns about potential support from Russia for North Korea's missile and nuclear programs were repeated.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have increased due to North Korea's latest missile tests and extensive military drills in South Korea. After a 2018 military pact between the two nations collapsed last year, Pyongyang has been bolstering its border defenses. South Korea announced that North Korean troops engaged in minelaying and other operations crossed the border unintentionally, prompting its military to fire warning shots.
Despite the US denouncing Vietnam for organizing to host the Russian leader, Putin is likely to arrive in Hanoi on Wednesday night and be met with a warm reception. This makes Putin's visit to Hanoi particularly significant for the Russian president.
North Korea has been subject to severe sanctions from the UN Security Council for many years due to its nuclear weapons and missile programs. Due to the invasion of Ukraine, Russia is now contending with sanctions imposed by the US and its allies. Russia and China, the principal backer of North Korea, have consistently obstructed attempts by the US to enforce further UN sanctions in response to North Korea's missile launches and nuclear tests. A Russian veto in March put a stop to UN sanctions monitoring, prompted charges from the West that Moscow was trying to dodge scrutiny as it purchases weaponry from Pyongyang for use in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia attempted to develop and strengthen relations with countries that could provide it with what it needs to continue the war of aggression against Ukraine. North Korea is giving Russia a lot of munitions and other weapons to use in Ukraine, and concerns about potential support from Russia for North Korea's missile and nuclear programs were repeated.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have increased due to North Korea's latest missile tests and extensive military drills in South Korea. After a 2018 military pact between the two nations collapsed last year, Pyongyang has been bolstering its border defenses. South Korea announced that North Korean troops engaged in minelaying and other operations crossed the border unintentionally, prompting its military to fire warning shots.
Despite the US denouncing Vietnam for organizing to host the Russian leader, Putin is likely to arrive in Hanoi on Wednesday night and be met with a warm reception. This makes Putin's visit to Hanoi particularly significant for the Russian president.
