Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended a call for strengthened ties between Moscow and Pyongyang in a congratulatory message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the occasion of the country’s National Liberation Day. As both Russia and North Korea find themselves increasingly isolated by Western nations and subjected to economic sanctions, their relationship has grown closer, a trend accentuated by Russia’s military involvement in Ukraine and subsequent conflicts.
Expressing confidence in the advancement of bilateral collaboration across various sectors for the mutual benefit of their citizens, Putin emphasized the importance of enhancing stability and security in the Northeast Asian region and the Korean Peninsula. His statement underscored the historical basis of their cooperation, tracing its origins to the shared struggles of Korea’s liberation from Japan and the challenges of wartime. The Russian President’s declaration follows a recent show of unity by his Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, who praised the partnership between Russia and North Korea during his meeting with Kang Sun Nam, his counterpart in Pyongyang. However, this gesture has drawn a response from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who suggested that Shoigu’s visit aimed at facilitating the provision of weaponry to support Russian forces engaged in the Ukraine conflict.
