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Agence France-Presse

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit North Korea, Pyongyang state media said on Thursday, as he and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un toasted “cooperation and friendship between our countries” during a meeting in Russia.
Kim is on a visit to Russia’s Far East, as Putin seeks to bolster alliances with other leaders ostracised by Western countries.
He is also due to oversee a display of Russian warships during his visit, Putin has said, to “demonstrate the capabilities of the Pacific Fleet”.
Putin and Kim discussed the possibility of sending a North Korean into space, Russian news agencies quoted Putin’s spokesman as saying, following their talks on Wednesday at a spaceport in Russia’s far east.
“We talked about the fact that if the North Korean side wishes, a North Korean cosmonaut can be trained and sent into space,” Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying.
If that were to happen, the cosmonaut would be the first North Korean ever to go into space.
Western allies have raised concerns of a possible arms agreement between Russia and North Korea, as Moscow’s war in Ukraine grinds on.
After a meeting between the two leaders on Wednesday, “Kim Jong-un courteously invited Putin to visit the DPRK at a convenient time”, according to the state-run KCNA news agency, which referred to the country by its official name.


“Putin accepted the invitation with pleasure and reaffirmed his will to invariably carry forward the history and tradition of the Russia-DPRK friendship,” KCNA said, without mentioning when any visit might take place.
Kim told Putin the meeting in Russia’s Far East brought bilateral ties to a new level, and expressed his willingness to foster stable, future-oriented relations for the next 100 years, KCNA said.
He said he was sure Russia would win a “great victory” over its enemies.
“There took place a tête-à-tête between Kim Jong-un and Putin after the extended talks”, according to KCNA, and Kim left a message in a visitor’s book which read: “The glory of Russia that produced the first conquerors of space will be immortal.”
What Russia’s purchase of North Korean arms could mean for world security
Russia became a pariah in the West after launching full-scale hostilities in Ukraine last year and has looked to strengthen alliances with other leaders facing similar isolation.
Putin praised the “strengthening of cooperation and friendship between our countries”, and told reporters he saw “possibilities” for military cooperation with North Korea.
He had earlier said Moscow could help Pyongyang build satellites.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said any cooperation would be “quite troubling and would potentially be in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions”.

US officials and analysts have said Russia is interested in buying North Korean ammunition to use in Ukraine.
While Kim was in Russia, Pyongyang fired two ballistic missiles on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, the latest in a string of sanctions-busting tests.
Raising a toast during an official dinner following one-on-one talks, Kim told Putin: “We are confident that the Russian army and people will win a great victory in the just fight to punish evil groups who pursue hegemony, expansion, and ambition.”
He also praised the “heroic” Russian army.
Additional reporting by Reuters


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North Korea

Kim Jong-un seeks to send first North Korean into space with Russia’s help, invites Putin for visit

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at a spaceport in Russia’s far east on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA via Reuters 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin attend a banquet in Russia on Wednesday. Photo: handout via Reuters 

Russia’s purchase of North Korean arms could boost Kim Jong-un’s nuclear goals

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2019. Photo: via AP

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and a Russian delegation led by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visit an arms exhibition in Pyongyang in July. Photo: Korean Central News Agency via AP

North Korea and Russia both stand to benefit from Moscow buying weapons from Pyongyang. File photo: via AP

Police officers look at collected fragments of Russian rockets that hit Kharkiv in Ukraine. File photo: AP

Xi Jinping hails ‘new era’ in China’s ties with North Korea amid rising tensions in region

Xi sent the message to mark North Korea’s 75th anniversary celebrations. Photo: AFP

 Kim Jong-un and his daughter attending the parade in Pyongyang. Photo: DPA

Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un meeting sees North Korean leader vow support for Russia’s ‘just fight’

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a visit to the Vostochny cosmodrome on Wednesday. Photo:  EPA-EFE/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un inside a rocket assembly hangar. Photo: Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arriving in Khasan, Russia on Tuesday. Photo: KCNA via Reuters

Putin’s war against Ukraine has emboldened no one but America

The flags of the U.S. and Chinese are displayed together. Photo: AP

News

Asia

East Asia

Diplomacy

Vladimir Putin has accepted Kim’s invitation to visit North Korea following their meeting in Russia’s far east
Kim tells Putin he wishes to foster closer relations between North Korea and Russia for the next 100 years


Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from Kim Jong-un to visit North Korea after the two leaders held talks in Russia’s Far East.


Kim Jong-un

Vladimir Putin

Russia

Kim Jong-un seeks to send first North Korean into space with Russia’s help, invites Putin for visit

Vladimir Putin has accepted Kim’s invitation to visit North Korea following their meeting in Russia’s far east Kim tells Putin he wishes to foster closer relations between North Korea and Russia for the next 100 years

Vladimir Putin has accepted Kim’s invitation to visit North Korea following their meeting in Russia’s far east

Kim tells Putin he wishes to foster closer relations between North Korea and Russia for the next 100 years