Putin journeys to North Korea in seldom visit, bolstering West-dissension intensification.
The bustling streets of Pyongyang are adorned with Russian flags and portraits of Putin, in anticipation of his impending visit on a local Wednesday morning – marking his first trip to the country since the year 2000. This upcoming journey is a rare overseas expedition for Putin, post his invasion of Ukraine in 2022, serving as a significant event for Kim, who has yet to host another global leader in his isolated nation since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The world will be keeping a watchful eye on Putin's visit, as it is expected to fortify the growing alliance between the two powers, fueled by their common antipathy towards the West and Russia's requirement for weaponry to sustain its war in Ukraine.
Following his sojourn in North Korea, Putin is slated to journey to Hanoi on Wednesday, symbolizing Communist-ruled Vietnam's ties with Russia, a move likely to irk the United States.
In a press conference on Monday, Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov disclosed that the visit would carry a "very eventful" agenda. Both leaders plan to seal a brand new strategic partnership, Ushakov declared.
Ushakov maintained that the agreement is not aggressive or targeted towards other nations, but instead aims to ensure stability in northeast Asia. He affirmed that the new agreement would replace documents signed between Moscow and Pyongyang in 1961, 2000, and 2001.
Aerial images from Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies reveal preparations for a grand parade in Pyongyang's central square. One image depicts a grandstand being developed on the eastern side of Kim Il Sung Square, the location for all significant parades in North Korea. An earlier image, captured on June 5, shows North Koreans rehearsing marching formations.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for US national security, informed reporters on Monday that the Biden administration was not troubled by the trip itself, but emphasized, "What we are concerned about is the deepening relationship between these two countries."
The US, South Korea, and other nations have accused North Korea of providing substantial military aid to Russia's war effort in recent months. Also, there are concerns about Moscow possibly breaching international sanctions to aid North Korea's fledgling military satellite program. Both countries continue to dismiss allegations of North Korean arms deals.
Putin's trip reciprocates one Kim made last September, when the North Korean leader embarked on his armored train to Russia's eastern region, visiting facilities that manufacture fighter jets and rockets.
This visit comes amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with growing international worry about Kim's intentions, as he escalates belligerent speech and abandons the policy of seeking peaceful reunification with South Korea.
On Tuesday, South Korea discharged warning shots after North Korean soldiers deployed in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas briefly infiltrated the South, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. This was the second occurrence of such an incident in the past two weeks.
An 'evolving partnership'
Last week, Kim lauded the future of the nations’ "significant bonds and close camaraderie" in a message to Putin commemorating Russia's national day on June 12.
"Our people stand firm and united in their support and solidarity for the successful undertakings of the Russian army and people," Kim declared, according to the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper.
In an article for the same newspaper published early Tuesday local time, Putin thanked Pyongyang for its unwavering backing for Russia's war in Ukraine and stated that the two countries were "prepared to confront the ambition of the collective West."
He commented that the two were "actively advancing their multifaceted partnership" and would "develop alternate trade and mutual payment mechanisms not controlled by the West, jointly resist unjust unilateral restrictions, and shape the structure of equal and non-divisible security in Eurasia."
The meeting transpires just days after a summit of the Group of Seven (G7) developed economies in Italy, featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where Western leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and agreed to use profits from frozen Russian assets to finance a $50 billion loan to the war-torn country.
This meeting follows an international peace summit over the weekend, backed by Kyiv, with over 100 countries and organizations in attendance, aimed at generating support for Zelensky's vision for peace, which includes a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
Putin dismissed those endeavors a day prior to the gathering by proposing his own peace conditions, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four partially occupied regions and the withdrawal of Kyiv's bid to join NATO – a stance perceived as unattainable by Ukraine and its allies.
Putin's visit to North Korea is generally viewed as an opportunity for him to seek Kim's support for his war – a goal that may become increasingly urgent as delayed American military aid for Ukraine starts to materialize.
Last month, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin informed American legislators that the provision of North Korean munitions and missiles, coupled with Iranian drones, allowed Russian forces to regain ground.
Between August and February, Pyongyang shipped approximately 6,700 containers to Russia, which could accommodate more than 3 million rounds of 152 mm artillery shells or over 500,000 rounds of 122 mm multiple rocket launchers, South Korea's defense ministry disclosed earlier this year.
Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied such weapon transfers, with a senior North Korean official last month calling such claims an "absurd paradox."
When asked about concerns that Russia might transfer sensitive technologies to Pyongyang in exchange for those goods, a Kremlin spokesperson last week stated that the nations' "potential for developing bilateral relations" was "profound" and "should not cause concern to anyone and should not and cannot be challenged by anyone."
Putin Steps Back onto the World Stage
Putin last set foot in North Korea back in 2000, during his initial term as President of Russia, where he sat down with Kim Jong Il, the predecessor to the current leader.
His recent journey to North Korea, followed by Vietnam, indicates Putin's ambition to resurface on the global stage. This comes as an effort to counter the impression of seclusion, sparked by the global outcry following Russia's questionable invasion of Ukraine. By forging alliances with like-minded partners, he aims to project a different image.
Last month, Putin paid a formal visit to Beijing, where he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping pledged unity against what they view as a United States-led global order.
Russia recently played host to foreign ministers hailing from nations including China, Iran, South Africa, and Brazil for a BRICS group gathering of major developing economies.
US National Security spokesman John Kirby deemed Putin's latest travel a "charm offensive" post his re-election. Putin bagged his fifth term earlier this year in an election that lacked a genuine opposition.
The strengthening of ties between Putin and Kim Jong Un has also worked in Kim's favor. Despite years of international sanctions due to his illicit nuclear weapons program, Kim remains defiant.
This meeting with a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council will serve as a sign to Kim's home audience of his global influence, and an opportunity to plead for crucial economic and technological support from Russia.
Russia had earlier backed international sanctions and UN-backed probes into North Korea's illicit weapons program, which included tests of long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles capable, in theory, of reaching the U.S. mainland.
However, Russia's apparent increased dependence on North Korea and escalating tensions with the West seem to have altered this position. In March, Russia blocked a UN resolution aimed at renewing independent scrutiny of North Korea's breaches of Security Council sanctions.
Additional reporting by Mariya Knight, Yoonjung Seo, Betsy Klein and Paul P. Murphy
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During the press conference, Putin's aide Ushakov mentioned that the new agreement between Russia and North Korea aims to ensure stability in northeast Asia.
Following his visit to North Korea, Putin is set to journey to Hanoi, symbolizing Vietnam's strengthening ties with Russia, which may further irk the United States.
