LONDON — Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea on an official state visit beginning on Tuesday, the Kremlin said on Monday.
Putin will spend two days in North Korea before traveling to Vietnam, the Kremlin said. The diplomatic trip follows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia in September 2023.
Kim during that visit had “cordially” invited Putin to visit North Korea at a “convenient time,” the Korean Central News Agency, a state-run media outlet, reported at the time.
Putin had accepted with “pleasure and reaffirmed his will to invariably carry forward the history” of friendship between the nations, the outlet said.
ABC News’ Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.
The Kremlin has recently announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be making a diplomatic visit to North Korea to meet with leader Kim Jong Un. This meeting comes at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and could have significant implications for regional stability.
The visit, which is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, will mark the first time that Putin has met with Kim since he took power in 2011. The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues, including denuclearization, economic cooperation, and regional security.
One of the key topics of discussion is likely to be North Korea’s nuclear program. Putin has previously expressed support for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and has called for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions. However, Russia has also been critical of international sanctions imposed on North Korea and has called for a more diplomatic approach to resolving the crisis.
In addition to nuclear issues, the two leaders are also expected to discuss economic cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Russia has expressed interest in investing in North Korea’s infrastructure and energy sectors, while North Korea has sought Russian assistance in developing its economy.
The meeting between Putin and Kim comes at a time of uncertainty in the region, with ongoing tensions between North Korea and the United States. The Trump administration has been engaged in high-stakes negotiations with North Korea over its nuclear program, but progress has been slow and there are concerns that the talks could break down.
Putin’s visit to North Korea could potentially complicate these negotiations, as Russia has its own interests in the region and may seek to leverage its relationship with North Korea to gain concessions from the United States. However, it could also provide an opportunity for Putin to play a constructive role in defusing tensions and promoting dialogue between the two sides.
Overall, Putin’s upcoming visit to North Korea is a significant development that could have far-reaching implications for regional security and stability. It will be closely watched by world leaders and analysts alike as they seek to understand the potential outcomes of this high-profile meeting.
