North Korea’s Kim Jong-un will reportedly meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin next week as Russia seeks more weapons for its prolonged war against Ukraine, the New York Times reported Monday.
Kim will travel in an armored train to Russia, where he will discuss with Putin the possibility of providing military equipment, such as artillery shells and antitank missiles, in exchange for advanced technology and food aid, according to U.S. and allied officials.
The meeting between the two leaders is expected to be held at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok next week, from September 10–13. Kim will also likely visit Pier 33, the location of Russia’s Pacific fleet, and then travel to Moscow.
Kim will request Russian satellite and nuclear-powered submarine technology if the weapons talks go well. Additionally, he will insist on food aid to prevent mass starvation in North Korea.
The upcoming meeting comes one month after it was reported that a delegation of 20 North Korean officials traveled to Russia in preparation for Kim’s visit.
Last week, White House spokesman John Kirby warned Putin and Kim had written each other letters regarding a possible arms deal. Further details provided by the new intelligence, however, remain classified.
National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson addressed the intel after the Times story was published.
“We urge the [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] to cease its arms negotiations with Russia and abide by the public commitments that Pyongyang has made to not provide or sell arms to Russia,” she said in a statement.
The Kremlin declined to confirm on Tuesday whether Monday’s report was accurate, according to the Washington Examiner. North Korea did not comment on the matter.
Following the news, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley criticized President Joe Biden’s weakness and former President Donald Trump’s friendliness toward Kim and Putin.
“The North Korea-Russia meeting is another sign that the dictators of the world are united,” Haley posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday. “Biden has been too weak and Trump was too friendly, even praising Kim Jong Un. Dictators only understand strength.”