Kim Jong Un Set to Meet Putin in High-Stakes Russia Visit
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is heading to Russia for top-level talks with Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin confirmed the meeting on Monday, saying it will happen “in the coming days” at Putin’s invitation. North Korea’s official KCNA news agency also announced the planned visit.
Putin and Kim Reunite in Vladivostok
President Putin touched down in Vladivostok on Monday for the Eastern Economic Forum. This city in Russia’s far east is the same place where Putin and Kim first met face-to-face back in 2019. South Korean sources reported Kim may have already departed on his secretive, armoured train for the summit, possibly as early as Tuesday.
Secretive Train Journey Fuels Speculation
Kim’s foreign trips are extremely rare and shrouded in secrecy. He usually travels by heavily fortified train, equipped with communication tech and his own luxury suites for private meetings with aides. Journalists near the North Korea-Russia border spotted a train identical to Kim’s previous travel trains, but it had yet to cross into Russia.
Military Ties and Arms Deals Could Be on the Table
The meeting is expected to focus heavily on military cooperation, including possible arms deals. The US has warned that if North Korea supplies weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, it will have serious consequences.
Ramon Pacheco Pardo from the Brussels School of Governance said North Korea’s support for Russia risks deepening global divisions over the Ukraine war. North Korea’s arsenal of Soviet-style artillery and rockets could offer a much-needed boost to Moscow’s forces.
What’s in It for Kim?
In return, Kim is likely seeking crucial aid like energy, food, and cutting-edge weapons technology. This may include advancements in intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear-capable submarines, and spy satellites. The transfer of such tech would alarm the US, South Korea, and Japan, given the threat of an enhanced North Korean nuclear arsenal.
