Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is greeted by North Korea’s chief Kim Jong Un throughout a welcoming ceremony at an airport in Pyongyang, North Korea June 19, 2024.
Gavriil Grigorov | Through Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin was met with a grand reception in Pyongyang, North Korea on Wednesday amid issues from Western officers concerning the two nuclear-armed international locations’ rising relationship.
North Korean state TV confirmed the 2 leaders warmly embracing on a pink carpet exterior Pyongyang Worldwide Airport after Putin landed round 2:45 a.m. native time, kicking off his first go to there in 24 years.
The state TV report confirmed the 2 leaders leaving in a automotive collectively in addition to photos of Pyongyang streets lined with flags, banners and posters selling Putin and relations with Russia.
Throughout their preliminary assembly, the Russian and North Korean leaders shared their “pent-up inmost thoughts” and agreed to additional develop their nations’ relations, state media KCNA reported.
The official newspaper of North Korea’s ruling social gathering reported on Tuesday that Putin had praised Kim Jong Un’s management and promised to assist develop commerce and strengthen safety throughout Eurasia. The article added that he helps the DPRK’s opposition to its “dangerous and aggressive” enemies.
Forward of the journey, anticipated to final two days, Russian officers had additionally signaled that the international locations may signal a “comprehensive strategic partnership” amid rising ties.
Western international locations — which closely sanction each Russia and North Korea — have been carefully monitoring developments of the go to and the potential ramifications for Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
NATO Secretary-Basic Jens Stoltenberg informed a joint press briefing on Tuesday that Putin’s journey “confirms the very close alignment between Russia and authoritarian states like North Korea,” in addition to China and Iran. Stoltenberg delivered the feedback alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
U.S. officers have asserted that Pyongyang provided Russia with dozens of ballistic missiles and over 11,000 containers of munitions for its conflict in Ukraine and that Putin may use his journey to foyer for extra weaponry.
“We are, of course, also concerned about the potential support that Russia provides to North Korea when it comes to supporting their missile and nuclear programs,” mentioned Stoltenberg.
Talking to CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Wednesday, Victor Cha, senior vp of Asia and Korea chair for the Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research, agreed that North Korean weapon provides to Russia could possibly be reciprocated by way of Kremlin assist for its nuclear program.
“The question is how badly Putin feels he needs the ammunition from North Korea to survive and to win the war,” mentioned Cha. “That may lower the bar for what he’s willing to give to North Korea, particularly if Kim drives a hard deal.”
Early final 12 months, Kim ordered the “exponential” growth of his nation’s nuclear arsenal and the event of extra highly effective intercontinental ballistic missiles, state media reported.
“The number one vendor for that [expansion] will most likely be Russia,” mentioned Cha. “For the United States, this is a real problem… The Ukraine war is about the best thing that could have happened for Kim Jong Un.”
The White Home has warned that any Russian support to North Korea’s weapon packages may have repercussions for South Korea.
On Tuesday, White Home spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre informed a information briefing that rising Russia-North Korea ties “should be of great concern to anyone interested in maintaining peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.”
Cha mentioned, nevertheless, the US could also be restricted in its capacity to gradual the circulation of weapons between Russia and Korea, with out the chance of direct conflict.
“[The Biden administration] is giving it more public attention, but on the policy side, I don’t really see any signs of what they’re trying to do with regard to this,” he mentioned.
