North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call to reaffirm their growing strategic partnership and military cooperation, particularly in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Putin praised North Korean troops for their role in repelling a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, highlighting their “bravery” and “self-sacrificing spirit.” Kim pledged full support for future Russian actions and emphasized expanding bilateral ties across all sectors, referencing a strategic agreement signed during their summit last year. Putin also mentioned his upcoming meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska, though North Korean media did not report on this detail.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kim has prioritized strengthening ties with Moscow to counter diplomatic isolation and align with nations opposing Washington. North Korea has reportedly sent around 15,000 troops and substantial military supplies—including artillery and ballistic missiles—to aid Russia’s war efforts. Additionally, Kim has agreed to deploy thousands of military construction workers and deminers to the Kursk region, a move South Korean intelligence believes may occur soon. Meanwhile, Pyongyang continues to reject overtures from Washington and Seoul to resume nuclear diplomacy, which stalled after the failed 2019 summit between Kim and Trump.