Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning to visit North Korea and Vietnam in the coming weeks, according to reports from Russian diplomats familiar with the matter. While the exact dates of the trips have not been confirmed, preparations are currently underway for Putin’s visit to Pyongyang and Vietnam. This will mark Putin’s second trip to North Korea, with his first visit occurring in 2000 when he met with Kim Jong Il, the father of current North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un extended an invitation to Putin to visit his country, promising opportunities for cooperation in a variety of areas. This offer came after Kim Jong Un’s rare visit to Russia’s Far East, during which Moscow pledged to support North Korea’s space program. Putin expressed interest in potential military cooperation with Pyongyang, despite ongoing accusations from Western governments that North Korea has been supplying weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not confirm the upcoming trips when questioned by journalists, stating that formal announcements would be made “when the time comes.” Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora revealed that preparations for Putin’s visit to Pyongyang are actively underway, but no specific date has been given for the visit. It is anticipated that Putin will first travel to North Korea before continuing on to Vietnam, in response to an invitation from Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Putin’s upcoming visits to North Korea and Vietnam come after recent trips to China, Belarus, and Uzbekistan following his fifth term as President of Russia. While details of the agendas for the visits have not been disclosed, it is expected that potential areas of cooperation, including trade, military, and space programs, will be on the table for discussion. The visits are seen as a continuation of Putin’s efforts to strengthen ties with key partners in Asia, as Russia seeks to expand its diplomatic presence in the region. Despite ongoing tensions with the West, particularly regarding North Korea’s alleged arms supply to Russia, Putin’s visit is expected to focus on enhancing partnerships and promoting regional stability.
