North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russia in September 2023 to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks could discuss North Korea’s possible supply of weapons to Moscow to support Russia in the Ukraine war, citing a US official, reports BBC.
The possible meeting between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin came to light following reports of advanced talks between North Korea and Russia on arms purchases. According to White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu
allegedly sought artillery ammunition from Pyongyang during a recent visit to North Korea.
The US has called on North Korea to stop negotiations with Russia on arms supplies and to abide with its commitments. The White House spokesman said that the US would respond, potentially
through sanctions, if North Korea were to provide weapons to Russia.
Both Pyongyang and Moscow have previously denied any involvement in North Korea supplying arms for use in Ukraine’s war.
There are several concerns that could arise from talks between the two leaders, such as closer military ties and the possibility that Russia could supply North Korea with weapons in the future, possibly in support of its nuclear programme. However, the talks could turn out to be just a “deal”, as
Russia needs weapons and because of sanctions North Korea – money and food.
John Everard, former UK Ambassador to North Korea, has said that North Korea is aware that Russia needs weapons and is expected to demand a significant price for them. He added that North Korea has large stockpiles of weapons, but
they are in poor condition.
According to the BBC, Kim Jong Un is very concerned about his personal safety and could cancel his meeting with Putin if his travel plans are revealed.
The two leaders last met in April 2019, when Kim arrived in Vladivostok by train.
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