OAN’s James Meyers
8:15 AM – Monday, June 17, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea and Kim Jong Un this week as the two countries look to strengthen their ties as the war in Ukraine continues.
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According to both Russian and North Korean state media, Putin will visit on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This comes after North Korea’s leader extended the invitation to Putin after he visited Russia in September.
Meanwhile, the United States has accused the two leaders of cooperating with weapons and technology transfers. The U.S. has claimed that North Korea has been supplying Russia with artillery shells for use in Ukraine in return for critical technology that can help boost Pyongyang’s missile and space satellite development.
Additionally, last week Kim praised the future of the countries’ “meaningful ties and close comradeship” in a message to Putin commemorating Russia’s national day on June 12th.
“Our people give full support and solidarity to the successful work of the Russian army and people,” Kim said, according to the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper.
Putin has also said that he hopes his country can build a partnership with North Korea “in all possible areas,” according to Russian state media.
Russia has turned to other nations to help supply its military forces in Ukraine. Iran has provided explosive drones, and the U.S. says China has given technology to support the development of Russian assets used in the war.
Moscow’s ties with North Korea weakened after the 1991 Soviet collapse. Kim Jong Un first met with Putin in 2019 in Russia’s eastern port of Vladivostok.
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