Russia and North Korea have come to an agreement to further their cooperation across multiple sectors.
Due to his force’s attrition in Ukraine, Putin is seeking new sources of arms and ammunition. While North Korea originally received its arms from the Soviet Union, it maintains a huge stock and a large domestic production that Russia could tap. Fox News continues:
Vladimir Putin greeted North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un in Russia’s eastern Amur region early Wednesday, according to Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti.
The two leaders met at the Vostochny cosmodrome for a rare, planned meeting addressing a potential arms deal to help resupply Moscow’s military, which has been drained by its war in Ukraine. Kim is expected to seek economic aid and military technology as part of the discussion.
North Korea, on the other hand, is seeking economic and technological support from Russia. Due to its isolation, it focuses most of its domestic industry on arms production. The Wall Street Journal reports:
Kim needed multiple days aboard his luxurious, bulletproof train to reach the Amur Oblast region where the cosmodrome is located. The visit marks his first international trip in more than four years. Putin has used the space center for high-profile diplomacy before, including an April 2022 visit by the Belarusian leader. Moscow conducted its failed moon-landing launch from the same site last month.
For Moscow and Pyongyang, the high-profile summit offers a rare moment to display unapologetic friendship. The pair of autocrats have drawn closer following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and North Korea’s return to long-range missile testing—rogue behavior that has left both countries more isolated and ostracized.
Russia’s gradual exclusion from world institutions is naturally pushing it towards another pariah state. North Korea can now leverage its military resources into economic aid and greater international recognition.
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