Vladimir Putin has hailed North Korea’s “consistent and unwavering support” for Russia’s campaign in Ukraine in a landmark visit to the isolated East Asian nation which has been met with condemnation in the West.
The Russian premier was pictured embracing North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un as he stepped out on the runway in the latter’s capital, Pyongyang – with North Korean state media claiming the pair shared their “pent-up inmost thoughts” as they drove to the country’s state guest house.
On Putin’s first trip to the state in 24 years, the two leaders talked up their commitment to combatting what Russian outlets called the hegemonic, imperialist policy of the US and its allies – as well as teaming up on nuclear weapons programmes.
As the duo paraded through Pyongyang, they were met with an honour guard of mounted soldiers, huge crowds of civilians, children holding balloons, and enormous portraits of the two leaders and national flags displayed on buildings in the capital’s Kim Il-Sung square.
The two leaders embraced on the tarmac in Pyongyang
Reuters
Crowds of flag-waving children greeted the duo in the capital
Reuters
Enormous portraits of the two leaders were seen displayed on buildings in the capital’s Kim Il-Sung square
Reuters
Putin told North Korean officials: “We highly appreciate your consistent and unwavering support for Russian policy, including in the Ukrainian direction.”
While Kim said North Korea-Russia relations were entering a period of “new high prosperity”, just months after a reverse meeting between the two authoritarian leaders in Russia’s distant east.
The Supreme Leader said: “Now the situation in the world is becoming more complicated and changing rapidly.
“In such a situation, we intend to further strengthen strategic communication with Russia, with the Russian leadership.”
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He added that North Korea “expresses full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in carrying out a special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests, as well as territorial integrity.”
More to follow…
Source Agencies
