Kim Jong-un touched down in Russia on Tuesday, commencing a state visit aimed at "strengthening friendship" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Peskov dismissed US warnings against the potential sale of North Korean arms to Russia, declaring that both nations were "not interested" in such advisories.
The meeting between Kim and Putin, which traversed the entirety of Russia, drew attention to the strategic implications of the rendezvous.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller commented on Monday that Putin's outreach to the North Korean leader showcased a "strategic failure" on the part of the Kremlin, hinting at Russia's apparent need for international support.
The North Korean delegation accompanying Kim included high-ranking officials from various sectors, including the foreign ministry, top military commanders, and experts in the arms industry and military technology, possibly encompassing Pyongyang's nuclear program.
As reported by the New York Times, Russia's military operations in Ukraine have revealed shortages in artillery munitions, potentially prompting Moscow's interest in acquiring armaments from North Korea.
Pyongyang, with its vast stockpile of artillery and rocket shells rooted in Soviet technology, could significantly bolster Russia's capabilities. In exchange for potential armament transfers, North Korean authorities could anticipate energy and food aid from Russia, according to the Associated Press.
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Source: PAP, Reuters, AP