Putin vows they’ll beat sanctions together before his summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to North Korea for their support of his actions in Ukraine, stating that the two countries would work closely together to overcome US-led sanctions. Putin’s remarks were published in an op-ed piece in North Korean state media just before his visit to Pyongyang for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Putin, making his first visit to North Korea in 24 years, acknowledged and valued North Korea’s steadfast support of his invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized the continued opposition to Western efforts to obstruct the establishment of a multipolar world order based on mutual respect for justice.

The two countries agreed to collaborate on developing trade and payment systems independent of Western control and jointly oppose unilateral and illegal sanctions imposed on them by Western nations.

North Korea, under heavy UN Security Council economic sanctions due to its nuclear weapons and missile programs, has found an ally in Russia, which is also facing sanctions from the United States and its Western allies for its actions in Ukraine.

The cooperation between Russia and North Korea will extend beyond economic matters to include tourism, culture, and education. This growing partnership has raised concerns about potential arms trade between the two countries, with North Korea supplying weapons to Russia in exchange for economic assistance and technology that could enhance its nuclear and missile programs.

Both countries have denied accusations of weapons transfers, which would violate UN Security Council sanctions that Russia had previously supported. Russia, along with China, has shielded North Korea from fresh UN sanctions over its weapons testing activities.

Putin’s visit comes amidst heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with both Kim’s weapons tests and military exercises by the US, South Korea, and Japan escalating. The relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang has drawn criticism from the US, with concerns about the impact on security in the region.

South Korea’s military recently fired warning shots to deter North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the land border, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the two Koreas.

Putin’s efforts to strengthen ties with North Korea are part of Russia’s strategy to enhance its global influence and revive Soviet-era alliances. After their first meeting in 2019, Kim Jong Un and Putin are set to meet again in Pyongyang.

Following his visit to North Korea, Putin is scheduled to visit Vietnam for trade-focused discussions, drawing criticism from the United States for providing a platform to Putin amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.