Putin thanks Kim Jong-un for his “constant and unwavering support” in Ukraine

The meeting between two cornered leaders who need each other began this Wednesday in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, with anti-Western slogans. “We greatly appreciate your constant and unwavering support for Russian politics, including the Ukrainian aspect,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un at the beginning of the face-to-face meeting this Wednesday in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, as reported by the Reuters agency. “I am referring to our fight against the hegemonic policy imposed for decades, the imperialist policy of the United States and its satellites against the Russian Federation,” Putin added in his first visit in 24 years to one of the most secretive countries in the world.

Kim has assured that relations between North Korea and Russia are entering a period of “new great prosperity,” and has expressed his “full support and solidarity with the Russian Government, army and people in the execution of the special military operation.” in Ukraine.”

Washington, which suspects that North Korea is supplying ammunition to Russia, sees in the Russian president’s trip a sign of “desperation” – a word used on Tuesday by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken – of Moscow to guarantee the supply of weapons. . South Korean intelligence estimates that Pyongyang may have secretly sent nearly five million projectiles and dozens of ballistic missiles to Russia. The United States estimates ammunition shipments at more than 11,000 containers. The supply line, vital for a Russia that is losing steam after more than two years of invasion in Ukraine, would have begun after Kim’s visit to Russia in September.

There is also concern about what Moscow would be giving in exchange to an isolated country hit by international sanctions due to its nuclear program. The United States has denounced the increase in exports of refined Russian oil above the limits set by the United Nations, and NATO expressed on Tuesday – through its Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg – its fear of Russian “potential support” for the North Korean atomic and missile programs. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik has claimed that Russia has supplied North Korea with technology to help it in its plans to deploy a series of spy satellites, in addition to conventional weapons such as tanks and aircraft, according to Bloomberg.

The meeting between the leaders began after a grand official reception in Kim Il Sung Square, in the center of the North Korean capital. Images from the outdoor ceremony show buildings decorated with flags of both nations and a platform in the center with portraits of Kim and Putin. There have been parades, dances, anthems played by military bands, and official greetings. Then, they got into an open-top official car and drove off, waving, towards the Kumsusan Palace, where the negotiations were taking place.

At the formal meeting, the leaders signed a new comprehensive strategic partnership. Putin made reference to this document, of which hardly any details have been revealed so far, at the beginning of the interview. “Last year, as a result of his visit to Russia,” he said, referring to Kim’s trip to Russia in September, “we made significant progress in building our relations. Today a new fundamental document has been prepared that will outline the foundations of our long-term relations,” Putin said.

The Russian leader was received by Kim in the early hours of Wednesday (local time), at the airport at the foot of the runway. Then the leaders shared a car ride in which they confided their “most intimate” thoughts and the intention to elevate their relationship, among whose objectives is the promotion of “a multipolar world,” according to the North Korean state news agency, KCNA. .

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