The United States has issued an official statement urging North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to refrain from selling arms to Russia. This plea comes as Kim Jong Un prepares for a highly anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Russia. The meeting, announced by both Russia and North Korea, has sparked concerns in the West about the possibility of an arms deal that could further complicate Moscow’s involvement in the war in Ukraine.
The Kremlin’s website announced the visit, stating that it was at President Putin’s invitation and would occur “in the coming days.” North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency also confirmed the meeting but did not specify the exact timing or location.
“The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un will meet and have a talk with Comrade Putin during the visit,” the Korean Central News Agency reported.
In response to these developments, the White House issued a statement, urging North Korea to honor its commitments and refrain from selling arms to Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that delegations from both countries would meet, but he did not explicitly confirm plans for a bilateral meeting between President Putin and Kim Jong Un. He stated that the leaders would meet one-on-one “if necessary.”
Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia holds significance as it marks his first foreign trip since the Covid-19 pandemic. North Korea had imposed strict border controls for more than three years to protect its healthcare system from the pandemic.
US officials had released intelligence indicating that North Korea and Russia were arranging a meeting between their leaders to take place within the month, highlighting their expanding cooperation amid deepening confrontations with the United States.
Analysts have noted that North Korea possesses potentially tens of millions of artillery shells and rockets based on Soviet designs, which could significantly bolster the Russian army. In exchange, Kim Jong Un may seek essential energy and food aid, as well as advanced weapons technologies, including those related to intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines, and military reconnaissance satellites.
However, concerns have arisen that potential technology transfers from Russia could elevate the threat posed by North Korea’s growing arsenal of nuclear weapons and missiles, which are designed to target the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
It is worth noting that North Korea is one of the few nations, alongside Russia and Syria, to recognize the independence of two Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine—Donetsk and Luhansk. Additionally, North Korea has expressed interest in sending construction workers to aid in the rebuilding efforts in these areas.
The relationship between Russia and North Korea has been complex and fluctuating for decades, but they have been drawing closer since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
