The North Korea-Russia relationship

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un at the Kosmodrom Vostochny space base. Artyom Geodakyan / AP  

 

Kim Jong-Un to Putin: We support all your decisions  

 

North Korea supports "all of Putin's decisions" and will make the relationship with Russia its top priority. This is what the country's dictator Kim Jong-Un says when talks with the Russian president begin at the Kosmodrom Vostochny space base in eastern Russia, international news agencies write.  

 

Kim claims that Russia is waging a war to defend its sovereignty and security. 

 

- We will be together in the fight against imperialism, he says further.  

 

Among other things, the leaders are expected to discuss arms deliveries for Russia's war in Ukraine. North Korea, in turn, has been promised Russian help to build satellites. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is also said to be present at the meeting, according to Russian state media. 

 

 

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un at the Kosmodrom Vostochny space base. Mikhail Metzel / AP 

 

The Russian Invasion|The North Korea-Russia relationship

Expert: The meeting risks increasing support for Putin's war 

 

The meeting between North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin risks leading to more non-democratic states starting to support Russia more and more. That's what North Korea expert Niklas Swanström says in SVT's Morgonstudion. 

 

- The problem I see is that this creates ripples on the water. There is a risk that this could lead to something worse over time, politically speaking, he says.  

 

The rapprochement between Kim and Putin shows more and more "North Korean tendencies" in Russia, say experts that SvD spoke to. One of the issues expected to be on the table is arms deliveries for the Russian war of invasion of Ukraine.  

 

Should Russia buy weapons from North Korea, the country is violating the sanctions they themselves voted for, security analyst Simon Cleobury at the GCSP think tank in Geneva told the newspaper. It would be another example of the country "ignoring international rules", he states. 

 

 - What will be the next step? The 

 

 

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un at the Kosmodrom Vostochny space base. Mikhail Metzel / AP  

 

Russian Invasion|The North Korea-Russia relationship

Putin toasts in Russian wine when Kim Jong-Un is served duck  

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin raised a toast to "deepened future cooperation" with North Korea in connection with the official dinner for North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. This is written by AFP with reference to Russian state TV. 

 

So what's on the menu? First, the two leaders are treated to a duck, fig and nectarine salad, followed by crab dumplings and fish soup. For the main course, they can choose between sturgeon with mushrooms and potatoes, or entrecote with grilled vegetables. Finally, they are treated to a dessert of wild berries, pine nuts and condensed milk. A selection of red and white wines from Russia is served with it.  

 

The dinner takes place after an almost two-hour long conversation between the leaders.