2023-09-11 22:41:00
It generates a stir that the possible visit is to complete the sale of weapons.
The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-unwill make a official visit to Russia in the coming days, the Kremlin press service reported.
“At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the head of State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong-un, will pay an official visit to the Russian Federation in the coming days,” said a statement cited by the Sputnik news agency.
“At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the head of State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un will pay an official visit to the Russian Federation in the coming days”
The visit was confirmed by the North Korean news agency KCNA, according to which both leaders will hold a summit.
For days There is speculation that Kim, who rarely leaves his country and has not traveled since the coronavirus pandemic, could meet with Putin to discuss an arms deal..
The Yonhap news agency, citing a South Korean government official, reported that the president of North Korea had left for Russia by train.
Last week, Washington said it was handling information about a possible meeting between Kim and Putin in which there was speculation that both leaders would advance an arms supply agreement..
“As we have publicly warned, arms negotiations between Russia and the DPRK are actively advancing”said National Security Council deputy spokesperson Adrienne Watson at the time, using the acronym to cite North Korea.
Speculation about the agenda
A week earlier, the White House indicated that Russia was already holding secret talks with North Korea to acquire ammunition and supplies for Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine, a country with which Russia has been at war since February 24, 2022.
In line with the information coming from Washington, the American newspaper The New York Times, citing anonymous sources from several countries, reported that the North Korean leader planned to visit Russia this month to meet with Putin with the alleged objective of agree on an eventual shipment of weapons to Moscow.
Photo: AFP
Washington called on the North Koreans to cease their “arms negotiations with Russia and fulfill the commitments made by Pyongyang not to provide or sell weapons to Russia” and warned Pyongyang that it will face consequences if it provides weapons to Russia to reinforce its invasion of Ukraine.
“They will pay a price for this in the international community”National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at a press conference about the “active discussions” between Moscow and Pyongyang over arms deliveries.
For the United States, These agreements would “violate UN Security Council resolutions” against North Korea’s weapons program.
According to Watson, last August, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to North Korea with the intention of acquiring additional ammunition for the war.
Until this Monday’s announcement, released by the Kremlin, Russia remained silent.
“No, we cannot (confirm it), we have nothing to say on this issue”Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov had declared last week.
However, the Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu did declare that they would discuss with North Korea the possibility of organizing joint military exercises.
“We discussed it with everyone, including North Korea. Why not? They are our neighbors,” the minister explained, quoted by the local news agency TASS.
Historical links
Russia, a historic ally of Pyongyang, was a crucial backer of the isolated country for decades and its ties date back to the founding of North Korea 75 years ago.
In July, Putin praised Pyongyang’s “firm support” for Moscow in the context of the war between Russia and Ukraine..
Kim Jong-un’s first visit to Russia took place in April 2019 and was carried out by tradition using an armored train.
On that occasion, the North Korean leader limited himself to visiting the city of Vladivostok, on the Russian Pacific coast, not far from North Korea, to meet with Putin on the grounds of the Far Eastern Federal University, where he also The Eastern Economic Forum is held.
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