The leaders of Russia and North Korea have signed an agreement on mutual assistance in the event of an attack by a third country, as part of an umbrella partnership agreement between the two countries.
The agreement on comprehensive strategic cooperation signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Wednesday aims to take cooperation between the two states to a new level.
Kim described the agreement as “a huge treaty,” which he said heralds a new era. Their cooperation on political, military, economic and other issues was peaceful and aimed at defending the interests of both states, he said.
“I have no doubt that it will become a driving force in the accelerated development of a new multipolar world,” Kim said.
During his visit to North Korea, Putin criticized Western arms supplies to Ukraine. Individual NATO allies have authorized Ukraine to attack Russian territory with the supplied high-precision weapons. Russia sees this as direct involvement of NATO countries in the war in Ukraine.
Putin also spoke in favor of lifting UN sanctions on North Korea and assured Kim of help in resisting the pressure of international punitive measures.
It was Putin’s first stay in the neighboring country in 24 years.
The Russian leader was welcomed by a cheering crowd at Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang’s architectural and symbolic center.
Putin thanked his North Korean host for his support of Russian policies, including Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
According to the White House, the two sides reached an agreement last year to supply Russia with North Korean missiles and artillery ammunition, which Moscow is using in the war.
This is believed to be in return for the transfer of key military technologies to Pyongyang, which is subject to international sanctions over its nuclear program. Both countries have denied such cooperation.
