In a significant show of alliance, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed unconditional support for Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held in Wonsan, North Korea.
According to Pyongyang’s state media (KCNA), Kim assured Lavrov that North Korea would “encourage all measures taken by Russia” to address what he called the “root cause of the Ukrainian crisis.”
The visit by Lavrov is part of an ongoing effort by Moscow to deepen military and strategic ties with Pyongyang amid growing global isolation over the Ukraine conflict. North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region and supplied artillery shells and missiles to the Russian army.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described the talks as being held in a “warm comradely atmosphere” and thanked North Korea for its contributions and support.
Kim also praised President Vladimir Putin’s leadership, expressing “firm belief” that Russia would succeed in its mission to defend its sovereignty and national interests.
Both sides also blamed the West for increasing tensions on the Korean peninsula.
The meeting took place in Wonsan, a coastal city and home to one of Kim’s major resort projects.
