- President Putin makes his first trip to the North Korean capital in 24 years.
- North Korea won promises of economic support from Moscow.
- The United States fears that Russia could provide aid for North Korea's missile program.
Shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hugged Russia's Vladimir Putin upon his arrival at Pyongyang airport on Wednesday, the two leaders shared their “innermost thoughts” and agreed to develop their nations' relations, Korean state media said. from North.
Putin, who arrived before dawn, is on his first trip to the North Korean capital in 24 years, a visit that is likely to reshape decades of relations between Russia and North Korea at a time when both countries face international isolation.
The partnership between the countries is an “engine for accelerating the construction of a new multipolar world” and Putin's visit demonstrates the invincibility and durability of their friendship and unity, North Korea's state news agency said. KCNA saying.
Russia has used its growing ties with North Korea to irritate Washington, while heavily sanctioned North Korea has won political backing and promises of economic and trade support from Moscow.
The United States and its allies say they fear Russia could provide aid for North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, which are banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions, and have accused Pyongyang of providing ballistic missiles and projectiles. of artillery that Russia has used in its war in Ukraine. .
Moscow and Pyongyang have denied arms transfers.
Kim greeted Putin, shaking his hand, hugging him and speaking next to the Russian leader's plane. The couple then traveled in the same limousine to the Kumsusan State Guest House.
“Passing through the charmingly illuminated streets of Pyongyang at night, the top leaders exchanged their repressed thoughts and opened their minds to more safely develop relations between the DPRK and Russia,” KCNA reported, using the initials of Korea's official name. North.
Wednesday's agenda includes individual discussions between the two leaders, as well as a gala concert, a state reception, honor guards, document signings and a media statement, Russian news agency Interfax quoted the policy adviser as saying. Putin's exterior, Yuri Ushakov.
In a sign that Russia, a veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council, is reevaluating its entire approach toward North Korea, Putin praised Pyongyang before his arrival for resisting what he said was economic pressure, blackmail and threats from the United States.
In an article published on the front page of North Korea's ruling party's main newspaper, he promised to “develop alternative trade and mutual settlement mechanisms not controlled by the West” and “build an equal and indivisible security architecture in Eurasia.”
Putin's article implies that there is an opportunity for North Korea's economic growth within an anti-Western economic bloc led by Russia, which is a message likely to appeal to Kim Jong Un, wrote Rachel Minyoung Lee, an analyst at 38 North. in Washington.
“If Pyongyang sees Russia as a viable long-term partner to improve its economy – irrational as this may seem to some – there is even less incentive for it to try to improve relations with the United States,” he said in a report.
Putin also issued a presidential order on the eve of the visit saying Moscow sought to sign a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” with North Korea. Ushakov said it would include security issues.
Ushakov said the agreement would not be directed against any other country, but would “outline prospects for further cooperation.”
