North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Wednesday, the 13th of September, for a rare but important summit where they discussed military issues, the war in Ukraine and possible Russian aid to the communist state’s secret satellite programme, reports Reuters.
Kim Jong Un visited Russia’s modern Vostochny Cosmodrome after arriving by train from North Korea. During the tour, Kim keenly inquired about rockets while Vladimir Putin gave him a tour of the facility.
After the tour, the two leaders engaged in extensive discussions with their ministers, and also met privately, face-to-face.
Afterwards, they enjoyed a luxurious lunch of Russian dumplings with Kamchatka crab, then sturgeon with mushrooms and potatoes.
During the meal, Kim toasted to Putin’s prosperity, the triumph of “the great Russia” and the enduring friendship between North Korea and Russia. He also expressed confidence in Russia’s victory in its
“sacred struggle” WITH THE WEST IN THE UKRAINE CONFLICT “TO PUNISH THE GREAT EVIL”.
Later in the interview, Putin indicated that military cooperation was discussed, but did not reveal any details. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Kremlin have said sensitive issues were dealt with privately rather than discussed in public.
And when asked by Russian journalists whether Russia would help Kim build satellites, Putin replied: “That is why we came here.”
The leaders’ upcoming plans for Kim Jong Un’s visit include a visit to military and civil aviation factories in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and a tour of the Russian Pacific fleet in Vladivostok.
Read also: Kim travels to Russia to meet Putin in a full-scale visit, Kremlin says