Russian Minister of Overseas Affairs Sergei Lavrov stated North Korea has affirmed its “clear assist” for Russia’s battle in Ukraine and Kremlin management as he began a three-day go to to Pyongyang.
The 2 heavily-sanctioned nations are in fixed contact, and extra conferences between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Chief Kim Jong-un are doubtless sooner or later, state-run Tass Information Service cited Lavrov as saying after talks together with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son-hui.
Lavrov referenced the participation of North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk area, the place Kremlin forces have principally reversed final yr’s shock incursion by Ukraine, calling it proof of an “invincible brotherhood” between the nations.
Picture: Russian Overseas Ministry, handout, AFP
Russian authorities would facilitate a rise in vacationer flows to North Korea from Russia, Lavrov stated.
North Korea opened the Wonsan Kalma coastal vacationer space final month.
Lavrov additionally stated that Belarus, with Russia’s backing, has invited North Korea to participate within the third convention on Eurasian safety structure, anticipated to be held in Minsk in October.
This weekend’s go to comes lower than a month after Pyongyang agreed to ship an extra 6,000 army staff to the Kursk area at a gathering final month between Kim and Russian Secretary of the Safety Council Sergei Shoigu.
The 2 nations have been deepening ties after signing a army treaty final yr to broaden their strategic partnership amid mounting worldwide sanctions. Russia and North Korea additionally intend to relaunch maritime transport between the 2 nations.
Western governments have accused the Kremlin of bartering army know-how for arms and labor assets amid Putin’s battle on Ukraine, now effectively into its fourth yr.
The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia has additionally helped Pyongyang’s army achieve trendy, real-world fight expertise.
North Korea is now supplying as a lot as 40 p.c of Russia’s ammunition for the battle and “these are good weapons,” stated Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian army intelligence.
“North Korea has enormous stockpiles and manufacturing goes on across the clock,” he stated.
