Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit North Korea for the first time in 24 years, with plans to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The visit is expected to focus on expanding military cooperation between the two countries as they deepen their alignment in response to growing confrontations with Washington. Both sides have seen increased military, economic, and other cooperation since Kim’s visit to Russia in September, with accusations of North Korea providing munitions to Russia in exchange for economic assistance that enhances the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons.
North Korea and Russia have denied accusations of weapons trade, which would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions previously endorsed by Russia. Despite potential reluctance to share advanced military technologies with North Korea, Moscow is eager to receive ammunition in exchange for artillery munitions and short-range ballistic missiles already provided. Any weapons trade with North Korea would be a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, which have been blocked by Russia and China to impose fresh sanctions on North Korea over its missile tests. In March, a Russian veto ended monitoring of U.N. sanctions against North Korea, raising suspicions of Moscow’s alleged violations to buy weapons for use in Ukraine.
Putin’s efforts to rebuild ties with Pyongyang are seen as part of Russia’s strategy to regain global influence and restore Soviet-era alliances. Relations with North Korea weakened after the Soviet collapse in 1991, with Putin’s first meeting with Kim Jong Un taking place in 2019 in Vladivostok. After sending the North Korean leader a high-end limousine earlier this year, observers noted a violation of U.N. resolutions aimed at pressuring North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program by banning luxury item supplies. Russia has expressed appreciation for North Korea’s support in Ukraine and their cooperation at international organizations like the United Nations.
The visit comes as international concerns rise over potential arms arrangements between North Korea and Russia, with accusations of weapons transfers to prolong Russia’s fighting in Ukraine. Despite denials from both sides, the focus of Putin’s visit on expanding military cooperation raises alarms about the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile program. Analysts note that Pyongyang hopes to receive higher-end weapons from Moscow in exchange for munitions, as there is always a demand for ammunition in times of war. Russia has highlighted its “close and fruitful cooperation” with North Korea at international organizations while blocking attempts to impose sanctions on North Korea over its missile tests.
The two-day visit is expected to see discussions between Putin and Kim on enhancing military cooperation and strengthening their alignment in response to confrontations with Washington. The interaction between North Korea and Russia has intensified since the meeting between Kim and Putin in 2019, with a focus on mutually beneficial exchanges such as munitions for economic assistance. Despite concerns about weapons trade violating U.N. resolutions, Moscow seeks to leverage ties with Pyongyang to bolster its global clout and restore historical alliances. Putin’s continued efforts to rebuild relations with North Korea highlight Russia’s strategic goals in the region and its desire for increased cooperation with Kim’s regime.
