Amid Russia-Ukraine War, Kim Jong Un To Meet Putin For Possible Arms Deal: Report

North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un will likely travel to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders may discuss the possibility of the North providing arms to Moscow for its ongoing war with Ukraine, reported the Associated Press. A US official told the news agency that Kim Jong Un is likely to undertake the trip this month, while the location of the meeting has not been confirmed, but the Pacific port city of Vladivostok would be a likely possibility given its relative proximity to North Korea.

Kim is likely to travel in an armoured train, The New York Times reported. 

On Monday, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson stated that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu travelled to Pyongyang recently to try and persuade North Korea to sell artillery ammunition to Russia. During the meeting, the weapons displayed included the Hwasong intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), reported British media website BBC.

Last week, the White House said that Putin and Kim exchanged letters following Shoigu’s visit. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told the BBC that the two countries have “pledged to increase their bilateral cooperation”. 

Late last month, a team of North Korean officials visited Vladivostok and Moscow. This included security officers who dealt with the protocol surrounding Kim’s travel. North may also be seeking advanced technology from Moscow to assist with its satellite and nuclear-powered submarine programmes. Pyongyang and Moscow have both previously denied that the North is supplying Russia with arms for use in its war in Ukraine.

North Korea is also one of the poorest countries in the world and may also be seeking food aid from Russia, reported BBC. 

John Everard, who served as UK ambassador to North Korea between 2006 and 2008, told the BBC that it is unlikely for the visit to take place. “Kim Jong Un is completely paranoid about his personal security. He goes to great lengths to keep his movements secret and if it’s known that he’s planning to go to Vladivostok to meet President Putin, he’s likely just to cancel the whole thing,” he said.

Pyongyang also knows that Russia is “desperate” for weapons and because of this, the price North Korea will ask for is going to be high. While the North has piles of weapons “they’re in very poor condition”, Everad added.

The Kremlin has become dependent on North Korea, as well as Iran, for the arms it needs to fight its war against Ukraine. North Korea and Iran are largely isolated on the international stage for their nuclear programs and human rights records.