Russia has vowed to «expand comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations» with North Korea, said its President Vladimir Putin, informs boradcaster BBC.
In a letter sent to his counterpart Kim Jong–un on Pyongyang’s liberation day, president of Russia said the move would be in both countries’ interests.
In turn, Leader of North Korea said friendship between both nations had been forged in World War II with victory over Japan.
Kim added that their friendship would grow stronger.
According to a report by North Korean state media outlet KCNA, Vladimir Putin said the expanded bilateral relations would correspond to the interests of the two countries.
It added «strategic and tactical cooperation, support and solidarity» between the two countries «had been put on a new high stage, in the common front for frustrating the hostile forces’ military threat and provocation».
BBC points out, that Pyongyang did not identify the hostile forces by name, but the term has been used repeatedly by North Korea to refer to the US and its allies.
The Soviet Union was once a major ally of North Korea, offering economic co–operation, cultural exchanges and aid. But the relationship suffered since the collapse of the Iron Curtain, only gradually picking up somewhat after Russia’s gradual estrangement from the West since the early 2000s.
In July, North Korea was one of the few countries to officially recognise two Russian–backed separatist states in eastern Ukraine, after Russia signed a decree declaring them as independent.
In retaliation, Ukraine, which is fighting off a Russian invasion of its territory, cut off all diplomatic ties with Pyongyang.