In a significant display of strengthening diplomatic relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui at the Kremlin on Monday, reaffirming the two countries’ growing partnership amid Western sanctions and ongoing global tensions over the war in Ukraine. The meeting underscored Moscow and Pyongyang’s commitment to deepening political, military, and ideological ties — a relationship that both leaders describe as “strategically aligned.”
During the high-profile meeting, Putin meets North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui and praised the “relations and development prospects” between the two countries, saying they are progressing “according to plan.” The event was attended by Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, highlighting the seriousness of Moscow’s engagement with Pyongyang.
According to Russia’s state-run Sputnik news agency, Putin extended warm regards to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, while Choe conveyed Kim’s “warm wishes” and expressed admiration for the “spiritual closeness” binding their nations.
A Deepening Alliance Amid Sanctions
Both Russia and North Korea have found themselves isolated by the West — Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and North Korea for its nuclear weapons program. Facing global sanctions, the two countries have turned to each other to fill economic and strategic gaps.
In 2024, Moscow and Pyongyang signed a historic defense pact, pledging mutual military assistance in the event of aggression against either nation. This agreement marked a turning point in their relationship, effectively reviving Cold War-era cooperation between the Kremlin and Pyongyang.
According to intelligence assessments from Seoul and Kyiv, North Korea has since sent approximately 10,000 troops to support Russia’s operations in Ukraine. Around 600 soldiers are reported to have died in combat, demonstrating Pyongyang’s tangible military commitment to its ally.
North Korea publicly acknowledged its participation in the conflict earlier this year, claiming that its soldiers played a key role in helping Russian forces retake the Kursk region, which had temporarily fallen under Ukrainian control.
Honoring the Fallen and Cementing Solidarity
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently held a ceremony in Pyongyang to honor the troops who died fighting alongside Russian forces. The newly opened museum commemorates what Kim described as the “beginning of a new history of militant solidarity” with Russia.
Kim called the alliance between the two nations “invincible”, asserting that their shared sacrifices in Ukraine symbolize a deep and unbreakable bond. Analysts see this as a direct message to the West — a signal that Moscow and Pyongyang are prepared to expand cooperation despite diplomatic isolation.
During the Kremlin meeting, Putin meets North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui not only to reaffirm this alliance but also to discuss new avenues of cooperation in energy, defense technology, and satellite development.
Putin was quoted saying, “We will never forget the sacrifices of your armed forces and the families of your servicemen.” This marks one of the rare occasions where Russia has publicly acknowledged the contributions of foreign troops in the Ukraine conflict.
US and Global Reactions
The expanding relationship between Russia and North Korea has triggered alarm in Washington and other Western capitals. The United States has accused Russia of providing advanced technological support to North Korea’s missile and satellite programs in exchange for ammunition, artillery shells, and manpower.
Following Putin’s meeting with Kim Jong Un in September 2025 in Beijing, the U.S. claimed that the two countries were “conspiring against Western interests.” President Donald Trump, in particular, alleged that Moscow and Pyongyang were coordinating to undermine American influence in East Asia.
The Kremlin swiftly dismissed these accusations as “absurd,” insisting that cooperation between Russia and North Korea is purely “defensive and developmental.”
However, satellite imagery and Western intelligence reports suggest that North Korean engineers have been granted access to Russian facilities, potentially allowing Pyongyang to advance its space technology programs — an area that remains tightly sanctioned by the United Nations.
Strategic Importance for Both Nations
For Russia, closer ties with North Korea provide an opportunity to expand influence in East Asia while gaining critical military support in Ukraine. For Pyongyang, the relationship offers much-needed political legitimacy and economic relief amid crippling sanctions.
Experts believe that both countries benefit symbolically from presenting a united front against Western powers. Their alliance not only challenges global diplomatic norms but also creates new geopolitical complexities, particularly for the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
As Putin meets North Korean diplomat Choe Son Hui in Moscow, the tone of the discussion suggests that this is not a temporary alignment but the start of a long-term strategic partnership. Both nations appear determined to defy Western pressure and assert their place on the global stage — together.
Source: Al Jazeera
This guy is a dangerous guy according to what I think.