Russia and North Korea strengthen military ties during Ukraine conflict

Kim Jong Un attends the 12th Plenary Session in Pyongyang, 24 June, 2025.
Reuters

Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, underscoring Moscow and Pyongyang’s ongoing military and diplomatic cooperation amid the Ukraine conflict.

Volodin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, delivered greetings from the Russian leader and expressed gratitude for North Korea’s support of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.

The visit follows a recent phone call between Putin and Kim, during which Putin briefed Kim on his planned talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska.

According to North Korea’s state news agency KCNA, Kim sent a reply to a letter from Putin marking the 80th anniversary of liberation from Japanese colonial rule. In the letter, Kim praised the soldiers of Russia and North Korea for forming 'friendship and unity' on the battlefield against a 'mutual enemy,' which was not specified.

Both Pyongyang and Moscow have confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops in support of Russia’s offensive to reclaim Ukraine’s Kursk region.

South Korea’s intelligence agency reported in June that North Korea could be prepared to send additional forces to assist Russia.

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