Kim Jong-un offers full support to Russia in Ukraine war

(Web Desk): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has offered full support to Moscow in its ongoing war against Ukraine.

According to a report by AFP, Pyongyang's state media confirmed that Kim made the offer during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The visit is part of a series of high-level trips aimed at strengthening military and political ties between Russia and North Korea, especially as Moscow continues its military operations in Ukraine.

Reports indicate that North Korea has sent thousands of troops to help Russian forces drive out Ukrainian soldiers from the Kursk region and has also supplied Russia with ammunition and missiles.

Moscow stated that talks between Lavrov and Kim were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude to Pyongyang for its role in the conflict and reaffirmed both countries' shared view that Western powers are responsible for escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

A video of the meeting, held in the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, was released by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Telegram, showing both leaders shaking hands and embracing.

According to North Korea's KCNA, Kim told Lavrov that Pyongyang fully supports all of Russia’s efforts to end the Ukrainian crisis at its roots and is ready to encourage Moscow unconditionally. Kim also expressed his confidence that the Russian army and people would ultimately triumph in what he called a sacred struggle to defend the nation’s dignity and core interests. He also praised President Vladimir Putin’s leadership.

Russian news agency TASS reported that Lavrov conveyed President Putin’s desire to maintain direct communication with Kim in the future.

An “Unbreakable Alliance”

Prior to Lavrov’s visit, Russia announced plans to launch twice-weekly flights between Moscow and Pyongyang. Lavrov praised Wonsan as a beautiful tourist destination and expressed hope it would become popular among both local residents and Russian tourists.

In a statement issued by KCNA on June 12 following a meeting between Lavrov and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, it was declared that the countries’ relationship is transforming into an “unbreakable alliance.”

The statement also noted that Russia reaffirmed its full support for North Korea’s legitimate efforts to defend its national security. In return, North Korea pledged complete backing for all of Moscow’s actions aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict.

Earlier, TASS had reported that Lavrov thanked North Korean troops deployed to assist Russia in Ukraine. According to South Korea, around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting for Russia, with thousands more wounded.

North Korea first confirmed in April that it had deployed troops to aid Russia in the war and acknowledged that some of its soldiers had died.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that both sides are committed to resisting the dominance of global powers seeking to stoke tensions in Northeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

It is worth noting that during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang last year, the two nations signed a military agreement, which included a clause for mutual defense cooperation.