Kim Jong Un expected to meet Putin in Russia to discuss weapons
According to senior US officials, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to travel to Russia and meet with President Vladimir Putin to discuss, among other things, arms sales in support of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson did not reveal the exact timeframe for the planned meeting on Monday, but Kim would likely travel to Russia on an armored train.
“We have information that Kim Jong Un expects these talks to continue and also include senior-level diplomatic engagement in Russia,” Watson said in a statement.
“We urge the DPRK to halt its arms negotiations with Russia and to honor Pyongyang’s public pledges not to supply or sell arms to Russia.”
Officials are secretly assuming that the meeting could take place as early as next week. according to the New York Times.
Kim rarely leaves the Hermit Kingdom – at least as far as the outside world knows – but in the past he did so on an armored train.
In that case, he will likely travel from Pyongyang, North Korea, to Vladivostok, Russia, the New York Times reported, citing officials who said he could also travel to Moscow.
Should Kim agree to an arms deal, Putin could send him technology for nuclear submarines and satellites, officials told the media.
Kim would also likely procure food for his famine-stricken country.
Russia is actively courting its allies while facing intense Western sanctions and an unrelenting war with its neighbor Ukraine.
North Korea is very familiar with Western sanctions.
Last month, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to North Korea and urged Pyongyang to sell ammunition to Moscow.
“Russia has been forced to turn to rogue regimes for arms and equipment to support its military operations. That’s partly because of the sweeping sanctions and export controls we’ve imposed,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said at a news conference last week.
“One of those regimes is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
Another is China, Russia’s neighbor, which has helped the Kremlin deal with the international aftermath of the bloody conflict.
Recently, a South Korean MP revealed that intelligence information indicated Russia was likely on board after coordinating naval exercises alongside China and North Korea.
South Korean lawmaker Yoo Sang-bum was briefed by the country’s intelligence agency on Monday. according to the Associated Press.
Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora recently said such joint exercises “seem appropriate,” the report said.
Next week, President Biden will attend the Group of 20 Summit September 7-10 in New Delhi, India.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to skip the diplomatic event amid tensions with India and send Premier Li Qiang instead.
