North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is aboard his special train en route to Russia, where he will meet his counterpart Vladimir Putin, fueling Western fears that Pyongyang will strike a deal with Moscow to supply weapons to Ukraine. . war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Monday that Kim will visit Russia “in the coming days” at Putin’s invitation, while North Korea’s state news agency KCNA said the two would “meet and talk.”
While neither country said when or where the long-awaited summit between the two strongmen would take place, the New York Times reported last week that the location of the next meeting could be a university campus in Vladivostok.
As it happens, Putin arrived in Vladivostok on Monday to participate in the annual Eastern Economic Forum.
Vladivostok, a major port city located in eastern Russia near the borders with China and North Korea, was where Kim held his first summit with Putin in 2019, which marked his last trip abroad.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves from a private train as it leaves Pyongyang on September 10, 2023. via REUTERS
Kim travels by train to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia.via REUTERS
Confirmation of the impending meeting came after the US National Security Council said arms talks between North Korea and Russia were “actively moving forward” following Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s rare visit to Pyongyang in July.
After rubbing shoulders with HSoigu at a weapons exhibition and military parade, Kim toured North Korea’s weapons factories, where he urged workers to accelerate the development and large-scale production of new types of ammunition.
Kim and Putin are expected to discuss possible deals to supply increasingly isolated Russia with weapons for war after its stockpiles have been severely depleted.
Kim Jong Un and Putin shake hands during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 25, 2019. AP
The train appeared to be traveling near the border between North Korea, Russia and China on September 11, 2023. AP Photo/Ng Han Gua
North Korea possibly has tens of millions of artillery shells and rockets that would be compatible with Russian weapons and could give Moscow’s forces a major boost as Kiev’s counteroffensive continues to intensify.
In return, an impoverished North Korea could seek energy and food aid and advanced weapons technologies, including those related to intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines and military reconnaissance satellites, analysts said.
The White House on Monday called on North Korea not to sell weapons to Russia for the war.
“We urge the DPRK to honor the public commitments Pyongyang has made not to provide or sell weapons to Russia,” said Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council.
Kim, 39, left North Korea aboard his olive green train that is said to be armored on Sunday night, a senior South Korean government official told Reuters.
The train would take Kim to North Korea’s northeastern border with Russia and the summit with Putin could take place as soon as Tuesday, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Kim Jong Un greets members of his armed forces before leaving Pyongyang, North Korea.via REUTERS
Security was being tightened and repairs were underway at the main train station in the Russian border town of Khasan, where Kim is expected to enter Russia, Japanese media reports.
In Vladivostok, there was an increased police presence on the streets, but no North Korean flags were displayed, unlike before Kim’s first visit.
North Korea is one of the few countries that has unreservedly supported Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, and Putin promised last week to “expand bilateral ties in all aspects in a planned manner by joining forces.”
The United States previously warned that it would be a “big mistake” for North Korea to supply Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine and warned that Pyongyang would “pay a price.”
With postal cables
Kim Jong Un received the full red carpet treatment as he departed.via REUTERS
Officials applaud as Kim Jong Un boards a train to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin.via REUTERS
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Source: vtt.edu.vn