North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia, setting the stage for high-level talks with President Vladimir Putin.
As global tensions rise, Washington cautions against a potential arms deal between the two nations.
In a highly anticipated move, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia, marking only his eighth foreign trip since assuming power over a decade ago.
The visit is poised to include comprehensive discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising concerns in Washington about the potential for an arms deal between the two nations.
Kim's uncommon diplomatic journey
Kim Jong Un's journey from Pyongyang to Russia aboard his private train began on Sunday and is now in full swing. He is accompanied by a select delegation, including top arms industry and military officials, as well as the foreign minister.
This marks an uncommon step for Kim, who rarely travels abroad.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the visit would encompass substantive discussions between the two nations. "It will be a full-fledged visit," stated Peskov, adding that there would be negotiations between the delegations, with the possibility of one-on-one communication between the leaders.
US cautions against arms deal
Amid this diplomatic engagement, the United States has issued warnings against the potential of an arms deal between Russia and North Korea.
U.S. officials suggest that arms talks are actively progressing, and they anticipate discussions about providing Russia with weapons for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
President Putin arrived in Vladivostok on Monday, where he is scheduled to participate in the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum, running through Wednesday. Peskov noted that his meeting with Kim would take place after the forum, and no news conference by the leaders is planned at this time.
Both Pyongyang and Moscow have denied any plans for North Korea to supply arms to Russia. Nonetheless, recent signs of increased military cooperation between Russia and North Korea have raised concerns among Washington and its allies.
The composition of the North Korean delegation, which includes key individuals responsible for defense industry and military affairs, suggests that the visit is likely to emphasize defense industry cooperation. Experts speculate that some form of agreement for munitions purchases may be on the agenda.
International stance
As the international community closely watches these developments, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin has underscored the importance of Moscow considering its international standing, particularly in the aftermath of the Ukraine conflict. Any military cooperation between Russia and North Korea would potentially violate Security Council resolutions, which strictly prohibit arms transactions with North Korea.
The U.S. State Department has reissued warnings to Pyongyang against selling arms to Russia that could be used in the Ukraine war. They emphasize that such transfers would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.
North Korea's open support for Russia since the invasion of Ukraine has been noteworthy, and Putin has expressed intentions to "expand bilateral ties in all respects."
Historical background
It's worth noting that Russia, alongside China, had previously supported Security Council resolutions punishing North Korea for its ballistic missile launches and nuclear tests as recently as 2017.
As the diplomatic discussions unfold between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin, the international community remains vigilant, closely monitoring the outcome and its potential implications for regional stability.
