Russia and North Korea formalized their alliance during a Wednesday summit as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un signed a strategic deal that includes a vow of mutual aid if either country is attacked.
The details of the deal were not immediately clear, but North Korean and Russian leaders announced that it would cover security, trade, investment, and cultural and humanitarian ties, marking the strongest connection between the two powers since the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991 at the end of the Cold War. It is a product of Putin’s two-day North Korea visit — his first to the country in 24 years.
From Tuesday to Wednesday, the Russian president met with Kim to discuss what the U.S. and its allies feared would involve an arms deal in which Pyongyang provides Moscow with weapons for the latter’s war in Ukraine. In return, Pyongyang receives economic assistance and sharing of advanced technology that could bolster its nuclear weapons and missile program.
Both world leaders believe the pact will solidify their anti-Western resolve. Kim described it as the “strongest ever treaty,” while Putin called it a “breakthrough document.”
The U.S. and South Korea have accused North Korea of supplying munitions to Russia for its ongoing offensive against Ukraine, possibly in exchange for military technologies and economic aid. North Korea and Russia have repeatedly denied involvement in the arms transfers, which would violate multiple sanctions that the U.N. Security Council imposed on both countries.
The sanctions target Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and missile programs and Moscow’s continued aggression in Ukraine.
In May, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told Congress that North Korea’s provision of munitions and missiles, as well as Iran’s provision of drones, helped Russia “get back up on their feet.” Three months prior, the State Department reported that North Korea had delivered over 10,000 containers of munitions or related materials to Russia since September 2023.
Last week, Kim pledged to “give full support and solidarity to the successful work of the Russian army and people.” Following that statement, the Kremlin said it wants to build a partnership with North Korea “in all possible areas.” Both parties followed through on their promises.
During their monumental meeting this week, Putin thanked Kim for his nation’s support amid the Ukraine war. The Russian leader said the war was partly a “fight against the imperialist hegemonistic policies of the U.S. and its satellites against the Russian Federation.”
Kim promised “full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in carrying out the special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity.” He also described their quickly growing alliance as a “fiery friendship.”
Kim last met Putin in Russia last September. The North Korean leader traveled in his armored train to Russia, where it was said both countries discussed providing military equipment in exchange for key technologies and food aid.
After the latest North Korea-Russia summit, Putin will travel to Communist-controlled Vietnam Wednesday evening.