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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has promised “full support and solidarity” for Russia’s war in Ukraine as President Vladimir Putin said during their meeting in Pyongyang that Moscow is fighting against the decades-long “hegemonic and imperialist policy” of the United States and its allies.
Putin on Wednesday thanked Kim for “unwavering” support on Ukraine.
The Russian leader is on his first visit to North korea in 24 years, with relations between the two countries growing closer since Moscow began its full scale inversion of ukraine and rising concern that Pyongyang is providing Russia with weapons in return for Russian technological expertise.
Russia and North Korea have denied arms transfers but have promised to strengthen military ties.
Reporting from South Korea’s Yeonpyeong, Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride said the two leaders sought “to put on a united face to the world in spite of the various crises they face”.
“It was a show of strength, a show of unity, heralding what they believe and want other people to believe is a new era in their relations,” he said. “It has all culminated in the signing of a new agreement between the two, which according to Putin forms the basis of relations for years to come.”
The Kremlin did not give details on the contents of the new comprehensive strategic partnership treaty on Wednesday, but it said on Monday that it would replace previous bilateral documents and declarations signed in 1961, 2000 and 2001.
Speaking after his meeting with Kim, Putin said the new agreement is defensive in nature and includes a promise of “mutual assistance” if either is attacked, Russian news agencies reported, as he described it as a “breakthrough” pact that will take ties to a “new level”.