Putin, Kim sign ‘strongest ever treaty’ as North Korea pledges support for Russia’s Ukraine war
- The pledge of military cooperation was part of a strategic treaty signed during a summit in Pyongyang, where Putin was making his visit in 24 years
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed on Wednesday a mutual defence agreement with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, who offered his “full support” on Ukraine, with Kim calling the new ties an “alliance”.
The new treaty provides for “mutual assistance” in case either country faces aggression, Putin said, in an apparent warning to the West.
The pledge of military cooperation was part of a strategic treaty signed during a summit in Pyongyang, where Putin was making his visit in 24 years.
“It is really a breakthrough document,” Putin said at a press conference in the North Korean capital, adding that it provided, “among other things, for mutual assistance in case of aggression against one of the parties to this treaty,” Russian news agencies reported.
Kim called the deal the “strongest ever treaty” signed between the countries and brings their relations to the level of an alliance, and would facilitate cooperation in various areas including politics, economy, culture and military.
Russia and North Korea also signed agreements on cooperation in the fields of healthcare, medical education, and science, Russian state media reported, citing the Kremlin’s website.
