Russian President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to visit North Korea on Tuesday in a rare visit to the Communist state and another step in growing his relationship with leader Kim Jong Un.
Putin is expected to be in North Korea for two days as he spends time in the country for the first time in 24 years and as the nation’s leader continues to offer him support in his war against Ukraine.
In a letter published Tuesday in Rodong Sinmun, a publication that represents North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, Putin shared his appreciation for North Korea and its support for his “special military operation” in Ukraine.
He then went on to say that he would support North Korea’s efforts to defend itself and its interests in what he said was decades of “U.S. economic pressure, provocation, blackmail and military threats.”
Russian state media reported Tuesday that the two countries would also be signing a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement during the Russian leader’s visit.
The agreement will reportedly “not be directed against any countries but is aimed at ensuring greater stability in the Northeast Asia region,” foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said, NBC News reported.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday that Putin has slowly become “incredibly desperate over the past few months” as he continues to face setbacks in his war with Ukraine.
Miller said that he has turned to North Korea and Iran for support, with North Korea unlawfully transferring dozens of ballistic missiles and more than 11,000 containers of munition to Russia in the last few months.
However, both countries have denied that the munitions and missiles were transferred to Russia. If Miller’s accusations are correct, it would be in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
As for Putin’s visit, CNN reported that North Korea decorated the country’s streets for the Russian president as he will continue to build a relationship with Kim.
He also continues to push back against US-led sanctions on his new ally, saying he “resolutely opposes” the West’s efforts to “hinder the establishment of a multipolar world order based on justice, mutual respect of sovereignty, considering each other’s interests.”