Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday publicly thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for deploying troops to assist Russian forces in repelling Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region.
Speaking at a meeting with Kim in Beijing, Putin credited the North Korean leader with initiating the deployment and praised the soldiers’ bravery.
“On your initiative, your special forces took part in the liberation of the Kursk region. Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically,” Putin said. “We will never forget the sacrifices made by your armed forces and their families.”
North Korea has emerged as a critical ally of Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, supplying manpower and weaponry under a bilateral strategic partnership that commits both nations to provide military support if attacked.
The Beijing talks, which lasted about two and a half hours, underscored the deepening ties between the two countries. Putin and Kim exchanged warm gestures, including a handshake and embrace, with the Russian leader inviting Kim to visit Russia again.
Both leaders are in the Chinese capital for commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender.
The United States has condemned the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Putin, Kim, and Chinese President Xi Jinping were using the Beijing gathering to “conspire” against Washington — a remark the Kremlin dismissed as “ironic.”
