By Sabiu Abdullahi
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for a two-day state visit, where he was received by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the airport in Pyongyang.
The visit is expected to focus on further arms deliveries from Pyongyang, which Moscow intends to use in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
According to the Russian news agency Interfax, the main part of the visit will begin on Wednesday with a meeting between Putin and Kim on Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang’s urban and symbolic center.
The day will continue with long negotiations, first in one-on-one talks and then on a larger scale.
The two leaders will also share several meals together and participate in a wreath-laying ceremony and a joint concert visit.
This visit marks a significant development in the relationship between Russia and North Korea, which has been strengthening in recent years.
Putin’s last visit to North Korea was in 2000, when he was received by Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il.
Since then, the two countries have experienced a long break in their relationship, but they have recently moved closer together, particularly in the context of the Ukraine war.
As reported by observers, the visit is expected to solidify the alliance between Russia and North Korea, with a focus on arms deliveries and military cooperation.
The visit is seen as a significant development in the geopolitical landscape, with implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader regional dynamics.