Kim Jung Un pledges support for Russia in Ukraine war as Moscow, Pyongyang sign defence deal
- 18 June, 08:45
Russia and North Korea have signed a strategic treaty that includes a mutual defence deal that commits the two countries to come to each other’s aid if either is attacked. The deal signed on Wednesday during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, marks one of Kremlin’s most significant moves in Asia and raised concerns in the West about potential Russian aid for North Korea’s missile or nuclear program. The deal also signals a major shift in Russia’s policy towards the country.
During Putin’s visit, North Korean President Kim Jun Un has expressed his “full support and solidarity” to the Russian government over the war in Ukraine. Putin in turn, thanked King Jung Um for "consistent and unwavering" support to Russia. Putin whose country has been under a UN sanctions regime since 2006 over his banned weapons program, said Moscow and Pyongyan would not tolerate what he described as Western “blackmail” and urged for a review of UN sanctions on North Korea.
"The indefinite restrictive regime inspired by the US and its allies at the UN Security Council towards the DPRK should be reviewed," Putin stressed.
Putin arrived on an official visit in North Korea on Tuesday and was greeted by Kim Jung Un at an airport in Pyongyang. In a summit held on Wednesday, the two leaders had a one-on-one meeting that was their second meeting in a year. "It is greatly satisfying to conclude a great treaty that befits a changed international situation and the strategic nature of new DPRK-Russia relations," Kim Jung Un said, while commenting on the defence pact with Putin. The agreement raised concerns in Western countries with the NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, saying before the summit: “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 programmes.”
