Leaders Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin engage in one-on-one discussions in Beijing, following their joint participation in a grand Chinese military exhibition.

Kim Jong Un Meets with Vladimir Putin in Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un held a bilateral meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, marking Kim's first visit to the city since 2019.

The meeting took place after Kim's visit to Beijing, following his attendance at a Chinese military parade celebrating the anniversary of the end of World War II. The bilateral talks occurred in the Diaoyutai state guest house in Beijing.

Kim was accompanied by his senior party and government officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. During the meeting, Kim told Putin that he would do "everything possible to help" the people of Russia in whatever way is needed. He also stated that his country's cooperation with Russia has "significantly strengthened" since last June.

The meeting did not involve any discussion about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Kim did not bring up the topic during the meeting, and Putin praised the North Korean soldiers for their "bravery and heroism" in fighting alongside Russian troops in Moscow's war against Ukraine.

According to reports, North Korea has been providing manpower, ballistic missiles, and artillery to Russia. South Korean estimates suggest that 15,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia since last year.

Kim's visit to Beijing aims to strengthen ties with China and Russia. This is the only recorded foreign visit in the past six years, with the leader visiting Russia in 2023 and China in 2019. Before his latest trip to Beijing, Kim Jong Un visited Russia in 2023 and China in 2019; these visits involved talks with President Putin about support in the Ukraine war and meetings with President Xi Jinping.

The meeting between Kim and Putin occurred a couple of weeks after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. Kim's trip to Beijing was reported by KCNA.

Suspected North Korean-made F-7 rocket-propelled grenades have been seen at an Israeli military base, raising concerns about North Korea's military activities and international relations. However, the focus of the meeting between Kim and Putin was on strengthening ties between the two countries.

The meeting between Kim and Putin marks an important development in the geopolitical landscape of East Asia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As the situation continues to evolve, it will be crucial to monitor the relationship between these two countries and their role in global affairs.