In a move that has sent ripples across the geopolitical landscape, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. This rendezvous, scheduled for the coming days, comes at a time when the West is increasingly concerned about North Korea's potential military support for Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Kremlin's announcement of the visit was succinct, stating that the two leaders would meet in "the coming days." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov further elaborated that while negotiations between the two nations' delegations are on the agenda, a one-on-one meeting between Kim and Putin would take place "if necessary." This sentiment was echoed by North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, which confirmed that a summit between the two leaders is on the cards.
This isn't the first time the two leaders have met. They last convened in 2019 in the far-eastern Russian city of Vladivostok. Interestingly, Putin's recent arrival in Vladivostok, which is a mere 430 miles northeast of Pyongyang, coincides with Russia's Eastern Economic Forum this week.
The backdrop to this meeting is Russia's protracted war in Ukraine, which has seen limited progress for either side since Kyiv's counteroffensive in June. As Ukraine seeks continued military aid from its Western allies, Moscow, facing increasing isolation, has been scouting for support elsewhere. This includes potential allies like Iran and North Korea, with the latter being eyed for new supplies of arms to bolster Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
U.S. officials have previously indicated that potential arms deals between North Korea and Russia were on the table when Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang earlier this summer. These discussions are expected to intensify, possibly culminating in "leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia."
Any arms deals that materialize from these talks would be in violation of several United Nations Security Council resolutions. The White House, in response to these developments, had mentioned last month that arms negotiations between North Korea and Russia were "actively advancing." Furthermore, letters exchanged between Kim and Putin have hinted at a deepening cooperation between the two nations.
Kim's trip to Russia is significant for another reason. It marks his first venture abroad since the onset of the global pandemic. Putin, too, has limited his international appearances, especially after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him related to allegations involving the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.
This summit, while symbolic of the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea, also underscores the shifting dynamics in global politics. As traditional alliances are tested and new partnerships forged, the world watches closely, waiting to see how this meeting might reshape the geopolitical chessboard.
