Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, hosted Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, will have negotiations on Wednesday that may result in an arms agreement that defies international sanctions.
Russian state media quoted Putin as saying he was “very glad” to see Kim after Kremlin footage showed the two enthusiastically shaking hands at the Vostochny Cosmodrome spaceport in far eastern Russia.
The latest in a series of sanctions-busting tests, Pyongyang launched two ballistic missiles on Wednesday while Kim was in Russia, according to the South Korean military.
Experts say Russia will likely use the talks to seek artillery shells and antitank missiles from North Korea, which wants advanced satellite and nuclear-powered submarine technology in return.
“We’ll talk about all the issues, without haste. There is time,” Putin said, when asked by reporters whether military cooperation would be on the agenda.
Kim’s entourage signaled that the summit will have a significant military emphasis as he traveled overland to Russia in his bulletproof train.
According to the North’s state media, Marshal Pak Jong Chon of the Korean People’s Army and Director Jo Chun Ryong of the Munitions Industry Department were among the top military leaders that accompanied Kim.
Images on Russian state television suggested that both Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu participated in the discussions with Kim.
Russian news sources leaked pictures of Kim and Putin inspecting the enormous space center before the discussions were officially announced.
“The leader of the DPRK shows great interest in rocket technology, and they are trying to develop (their presence in) space,” Putin said, referring to North Korea by its official name.
Kim thanked Putin for inviting him to visit, despite the Russian leader’s “busy schedule”.
Kim had earlier stressed the trip his first post-pandemic foreign travel showed North Korea was “prioritising the strategic importance” of its Russia ties.
