Kremlin boss raises his glass
Kim swears unconditional loyalty to Putin
September 13, 2023, 12:19 p.m
Listen to article
This audio version was artificially generated. More info | Send feedback
The conversation between the heads of state of North Korea and Russia is also said to be about weapons for the war against Ukraine. From dictator Kim’s perspective, Russia is defending its security interests. Pyongyang reassures Kremlin boss Putin of its loyalty.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has described his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in eastern Russia as a “springboard” for closer relations between the two countries. Kim also assured Putin of continued support for Pyongyang. The North Korean leader said at the meeting that he wanted to make bilateral relations with Russia his “top priority,” according to a report on Russian television. ‘
The North Korean dictator also predicted Russia’s victory in its war of aggression against Ukraine. “I am deeply convinced that the heroic Russian army and people will brilliantly inherit the tradition of victory and demonstrate their honor and glory on the fronts of military special operations,” Kim said, according to the Interfax news agency. At the same time, Russia will be able to build a strong state.
Moscow is far from its original war goals in the invasion ordered by Putin in February 2022. The Russian army has suffered several defeats and is currently defending itself against Kiev’s counteroffensive in southern Ukraine. Although Russia still occupies around 20 percent of the neighboring country, including the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed in 2014, there has recently been information about increasing problems in supplying the troops with weapons and ammunition.
Lunch and one-on-one conversation
According to observers, the talks between the internationally isolated heads of state Putin and Kim at the Vostochny cosmodrome in the Russian Far East are also about possible military aid from North Korea. On the sidelines of the official lunch, the North Korean ruler announced that he had spoken to Putin during the one-on-one meeting about the political and military situation in Europe and on the Korean peninsula. Kim added that he hopes his visit will lay the foundation for a strategic partnership between the two neighboring countries. Details about possible arms deliveries were not known for the time being.
Russia is currently “countering hegemonist forces” to protect its security interests, Kim said. North Korea has previously expressed its “full and unconditional support for all measures taken by the Russian government,” Kim said. Now he wants to use the opportunity to reiterate this. North Korea will “always stand by Russia,” Kim said, according to the broadcast on Russian state television.
Putin proposes a toast to cooperation
Putin, for his part, announced increased cooperation between the two states. “A toast to the future strengthening of cooperation and friendship between our countries,” Putin said as he raised his glass, Russian state television reported. “To the well-being and prosperity of our nations, to the health of the chairman and everyone present here,” Putin said to Kim and his delegation, while his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu sat at his side.
The Russian president acknowledged historical ties between the two states and quoted a Russian saying that “an old friend is better than two new ones.” Putin recalled that Soviet and North Korean soldiers fought together for the country’s freedom after World War II.