MOSCOW. Russia assured that there is room for military and space cooperation with North Korea after the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leader of the communist regime, Kim Jong-un.
“There are certain restrictions. Russia complies with all these restrictions, but there are things that, of course, we can talk about (…). There are perspectives here too,” Putin said in statements to public television Rossía-1.
Putin was referring to the international sanctions imposed on the Asian country that restrict arms exchanges with Pyongyang.
“Russia is a self-sufficient country. But within the framework of the current rules, we also have possibilities that we take into account and are discussing,” he stated.
Putin showed Kim the most advanced Russian space rocket launch facilities, located in the Russian Far East, and discussed the possibility of sending a North Korean cosmonaut into space. Kim, who arrived in the country by train from North Korea, asked numerous detailed questions about rockets as Putin showed him around the Vostochny cosmodrome.
Pyongyang has carried out two failed launches of military reconnaissance satellites this year and will make another attempt in October.
Hours before the summit between Putin and Kim, North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan (called the East Sea in both Koreas).
According to The New York Times, Putin wants North Korea to sell artillery ammunition and anti-tank missiles to Russia for the war in Ukraine, while Pyongyang would be seeking advanced technology for the manufacture of satellites and nuclear-powered submarines, as well as oil production and food aid. The US reminded both countries “that any arms transfer from North Korea to Russia would violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions.”
“We will not hesitate to impose new sanctions if appropriate,” both the White House and the State Department stressed.
U.S. and South Korean officials have expressed concern about Kim providing weapons and ammunition to Russia, which has spent vast reserves on more than 18 months of war in Ukraine. Moscow and Pyongyang have denied such intentions.
Putin gave numerous hints that military cooperation was discussed, but revealed few details. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attended the talks and the Kremlin said they were sensitive topics not suitable for public discussion.
HOLY WAR
On the other hand, Russia guaranteed North Korea’s support in its “holy struggle” in Ukraine during the summit.
“Russia has now risen up in a holy struggle to defend its sovereignty and security (…). “We have always supported all of President Putin’s decisions,” Kim told the Russian leader.
The leader told Putin that relations with Moscow are now Pyongyang’s “top priority.”
“Our current visit comes at a time of fierce confrontation in the international arena, between the progressive and the reactionary, between justice and injustice, as well as the construction of a multipolar world,” Kim said.
“I hope that we will always fight together against imperialism and the construction of sovereign states,” he emphasized.
The Russian president also highlighted that both countries have “interesting projects” in their portfolio in terms of rail and road transport, and port infrastructure.
➡️ Subscribe to our Newsletter and receive the most relevant notes in your email
At the end of the meeting, Putin accepted an invitation from leader Kim Jong-un to visit North Korea, the state news agency KCNA reported.
2023-09-14 11:00:00
#Putin #Kim #Jongun #analyze #military #cooperation #Sol #México
