Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un inked a defense pact on Wednesday, marking a watershed moment in Russia’s long-awaited relationship with the Asia-Pacific region.
Children waved Russian flags and saluted the military as they welcomed Putin into Pyongyang’s streets, where cheering crowds awaited him. Kim welcomed Putin at the airport.
Putin stated during his first visit to Pyongyang since July 2000 that Moscow and Pyongyang could establish military and technical cooperation, linking Russia’s strengthening relations with North Korea to the West’s support for Ukraine.
Putin pointed out that the agreement included a mutual defense clause in the event of aggression against either nation, and they executed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” arrangement subsequent to their discussions.
His assertion was that the delivery of advanced, long-range weaponry, such as F-16 fighters, to Ukraine for the purpose of conducting strikes against Russia violated significant agreements.
North Korea has a defense treaty with China, but no active military cooperation like it has with Russia in the past year. North Korea and the Soviet Union signed a 1961 treaty promising mutual support in an attack.
The United States and its Asian allies have been worried by Putin’s courtship of Kim, which has taken the form of limousine presents and a tour of Russia’s new space launch center.
Putin accused the United States, South Korea, and Japan of inciting tensions on the Korean peninsula and asserted that North Korea was entitled to fortify its own defenses.
Kim stated that the deal would enhance cooperation in the areas of politics, economy, and defense, describing it as “strictly peace-loving and defensive.”
The U.N. Security Council resolutions prohibit Russia from providing assistance to North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, a concern that the United States and its allies have expressed. They have also implicated Pyongyang in the supply of ballistic missiles and artillery shells that Russia has used in its conflict in Ukraine.
Moscow and Pyongyang denied claims of weapons transfers.
