North Korean leader Kim Jong Un assured Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of his "unconditional" support for Russia in the war against Ukraine, saying Moscow's victory was certain, Pyongyang's official media reported today.
According to the state news agency KCNA, Kim received Lavrov in an "atmosphere of trust and warm friendship" at a time when North Korea and Russia are strengthening their diplomatic and military ties.
The Russian Foreign Minister posted a video on Telegram of them shaking hands and greeting each other in Wonsan, on the east coast of North Korea.
A large tourist complex has just opened there. According to the Russian news agency TASS, Lavrov left North Korea this morning and arrived in China, where he is scheduled to participate in a ministerial meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Moscow and Pyongyang signed a mutual defense treaty last year, and North Korea sent thousands of troops to help Russia retake the Kursk region, part of which was captured by the Ukrainian army in the summer of 2024. North Korea also sends Russia grenades and rockets.
According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un told his Russian guest that North Korea is "ready to support and unconditionally encourage all measures taken by Russian leaders to eliminate the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis."
Kim also expressed "firm belief that the Russian army and people will have a sure victory, fulfilling the sacred goal of defending the country's dignity and fundamental interests."
The two officials also discussed "important issues for the faithful implementation of agreements concluded" during their 2024 summit, when a defense agreement was reached during a rare visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea.
Lavrov said Putin hopes to "resume direct contacts" with Kim Jong Un "as soon as possible," Russian news agency TASS reported.
Last week, journalists asked the Kremlin about the possibility of an imminent visit by the North Korean leader to Russia, but were told that it was not planned for now.
Lavrov also met with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui in Wonsan, whom he thanked for the "heroic" behavior of North Koreans deployed with Russian forces against Ukraine, TASS reports.
The two sides stressed their "determination to jointly combat the hegemonic aspirations of external actors in the region, which are leading to the escalation of tensions in Northeast Asia and the entire Asia-Pacific region," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
According to the TASS agency, when asked about the possibility of North Korean troops being deployed to other parts of the front, Lavrov replied that this was Pyongyang's decision.
Lavrov arrived in North Korea a month and a half after a visit by Russian State Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.
Just before Lavrov's arrival, Russian authorities announced the launch of a direct flight twice a week between Moscow and Pyongyang.
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