North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on a rare trip outside his country's borders, according to US officials. The two leaders will reportedly discuss a deal for North Korea to supply weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine.
The meeting could happen as early as next week in the Russian city of Vladivostok, which is close to the border with North Korea. Kim is expected to travel by an armoured train, and may also visit Moscow, although that is not confirmed.
The New York Times reported that the weapons deal was arranged by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who visited North Korea in July and signed secret agreements with Pyongyang. US officials said that Russia was seeking to buy artillery ammunition from North Korea, among other types of munitions.
The US, UK, Japan, and South Korea have condemned the weapons deal, saying that it would support Russia’s “brutal war of aggression” in Ukraine. They vowed to expose and counter any attempts by Russia to acquire military equipment from North Korea or any other state that would aid its war efforts.
The meeting between Kim and Putin comes amid stalled talks between North Korea and the US over Pyongyang’s nuclear program. It also follows a recent escalation of tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine, where Moscow has amassed thousands of troops near the border.
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