Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea and Vietnam, the Kremlin announced on Monday.
Putin’s visit to North Korea on Tuesday and Wednesday follows an invitation from ruler Kim Jong Un, according to a statement, describing the trip as a “friendly state visit.” Putin will then travel to Vietnam for two days.
Russia maintains close ties with North Korea, which is viewed with great suspicion in the West. The isolated communist country with nuclear ambitions is believed to be providing Russia with ammunition for its war against Ukraine.
Kim made a rare foreign visit to Russia in September.
In Vietnam, the Kremlin announced that Putin would meet with heads of state, government and the Communist Party. The talks should focus on expanding the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.
Last year, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin in connection with alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
He is therefore limited in his international contacts and can only visit allied countries that – like Russia – do not recognize the court.
Since the start of his new term in May, Putin has visited Belarus, China and Uzbekistan.
