Kim-Putin Bilateral Defense Treaty Signed
Last Updated on June 20, 2024 10:44 am
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bilateral defense agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The North Korean leader has also pledged full support to Russia in the Ukraine war.
Putin’s first visit to North Korea in 24 years included pledges of military cooperation under the strategic agreement signed last Wednesday (June 19) at a summit in the capital, Pyongyang.
This is one of the most important steps Russia has taken in the last few years. Kim referred to it as ‘alliance-like’.
In a press conference following the signing of the agreement, the Russian president called it a “landmark document” and said the comprehensive partnership agreement signed today includes, among other things, bilateral cooperation in the event of an attack on a signatory country.
He also said that the supply of long-range weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, to Ukraine is a violation of important agreements. In light of this, Russia is not excluding the improvement of military-technical cooperation with North Korea.
Russia and North Korea have been allies since the establishment of North Korea as a state after World War II, and relations between the two countries have deepened since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The United States and its allies have alleged that North Korean-supplied ammunition and missiles are being used by Russia in the Ukraine conflict, and the newly signed deal raises fears of more arms supplies.
On the other hand, Kim Jong Un referred to President Putin as the dearest friend of the Korean people, saying that his country expressed full solidarity and support to the Russian government.
Putin thanked Kim, the leader of North Korea, which has been under UN sanctions since 2006 due to its weapons program, and said Moscow appreciates North Korea’s steadfast support.
Vladimir Putin said the two countries will not tolerate Western threats. On North Korea, he called for a re-evaluation of the UN sanctions.