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Putin pledges closer trade, security ties with North Korea

18.06.2024 13:00
Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to build closer trade and security ties with North Korea as he travels to Pyongyang on Tuesday, seeking support for his war against Ukraine.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: PAP/EPA/MIKHAIL METZEL /SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL

In a letter published by North Korean state media, Putin said the two countries have developed good relations and partnerships over the past seven decades based on "equality, mutual respect and trust," the Reuters news agency reported.

"We will develop alternative mechanisms of trade and mutual settlements that are not controlled by the West, and jointly resist illegitimate unilateral restrictions," Putin wrote ahead of his visit to Pyongyang, as quoted by Reuters.

"And at the same time – we will build an architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia," he added.

He thanked North Korea for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine, and vowed to support Pyongyang's efforts to defend its interests despite what he called "US pressure, blackmail and military threats," Reuters reported.

North Korean state media also published articles praising Russia and supporting its military campaign in Ukraine, calling it a "sacred war of all Russian citizens," according to Reuters.

In October last year, the United States, Japan and South Korea condemned the supply of arms and military equipment by North Korea to Russia.

The foreign ministers of the three countries said in a joint statement at the time that they "strongly condemn the provision of military equipment and munitions" by North Korea to Russia "for use against the government and people of Ukraine."

They added that "such weapons deliveries, several of which we now confirm have been completed, will significantly increase the human toll of Russia’s war of aggression."

Earlier that month, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thanked North Korea for supporting his country's war against Ukraine and pledged Moscow's "complete support and solidarity" for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to reports at the time.

North Korea's Kim in September last year made a rare trip to Russia during which he invited Putin to visit Pyongyang.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Tuesday is day 846 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: Reuters, IAR, PAP, polskieradio24.pl