North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the latter’s summit in Alaska this week.
Putin, who will meet with President Donald Trump on Friday in Anchorage to discuss paths to peace, spoke to Kim on the 80th anniversary of North Korea’s “liberation,” according to the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Recommended Stories
- Zelensky touts Erdogan’s support for Ukraine’s presence in peace negotiations
- US planning corridor from Israel into Syria for humanitarian aid to Druze
- US designates Pakistani separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army as terrorists following resource deal
“The heads of state of the two countries highly appreciated the further development of relations of cooperation in all fields in accordance with the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership concluded between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation, confirming their will to strengthen cooperation in the future,” the ministry reported on Tuesday.
Particular attention was paid to North Korea’s continued support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with personnel of the Korean People’s Army fighting alongside Russian troops in regions such as Kursk.
“The Russian president spoke highly once again of the support provided by the DPRK and the bravery, heroism and self-sacrificing spirit displayed by the service personnel of the Korean People’s Army in liberating Kursk, part of the Russian territory,” the ministry said.
North Korea, in turn, vowed to “fully support all measures to be taken by the Russian leadership in the future.” The readout did not specifically mention the meeting with Trump.
The phone call mirrors a similar powwow held on Wednesday between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and major European powers ahead of the Alaskan summit.
While the meeting between the two world leaders has dominated headlines and captured the globe’s attention, the White House has begun tempering expectations for a breakthrough in the conflict.
“I think this is a listening exercise for the president. Look, only one party that’s involved in this war is going to be present,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday. “The president has always said he wants a peace deal, he wants to see this war come to an end. But this bilateral meeting is a bilateral meeting between one party in this two-party war, right? You need both countries to agree to a deal.”
Trump has promised that the next round of negotiations will involve himself, Putin, and Zelensky in a trilateral discussion.
ZELENSKY TOUTS ERDOGAN’S SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE’S PRESENCE IN PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
North Korea remains the strongest ally of an increasingly isolated Russia, being the only nation sending military servicemen to aid in the Ukraine invasion.
For this reason, the two have radically bolstered their alliance in recent years through treaties and defense pacts.
A delegation representing the Russian legislature, led by Speaker Byacheslav Volodin, is set to visit North Korea on Thursday and Friday.