Putin Strengthens Ties with North Korea Amid Ukraine Conflict

On Sunday, July 19, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui at the Kremlin in Moscow. This meeting marks a significant moment in the countries’ diplomatic relations as reported by Russian state media.

The meeting did not coincide with any diplomatic event or anniversary, leading to speculation about a potential visit to Russia by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Although North Korean state media acknowledged Choe’s departure to Russia at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, it did not elaborate on the visit’s purpose.

A spokesperson for South Korea’s Unification Ministry, Yoon Min Ho, mentioned that Seoul is closely observing the meetings but refrained from commenting on any possible summit discussions between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Russia’s Tass news agency revealed that Putin expressed gratitude to North Korea for supporting his military operations in Ukraine and commended the strong relations between Russia and North Korea. Choe assured Putin that Kim Jong Un remains committed to the development of these relations.

Kim Jong Un has visited Russia for summits with Putin in 2019 and 2023. Kim received an invitation from Putin to visit Russia again during their 2024 summit in Pyongyang, where both leaders signed a strategic partnership agreement. This agreement encompasses mutual aid against aggression.

In recent years, Kim Jong Un prioritized Russia in his foreign policy by sending troops and weapons to aid Putin’s war in Ukraine. These actions might be exchanged for economic aid and technology, potentially advancing North Korea’s military capabilities. Additionally, Kim seeks stronger relations with China as illustrated by hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang in June.

Amid the concept of a ‘new Cold War,’ Kim projects North Korea as part of a unified front against the United States. Following Choe’s Moscow visit, North Korea and China engaged in high-level exchanges. North Korea’s Cabinet Premier, Pak Thae Song, and Wang Huning from China’s Political Standing Committee, engaged in diplomatic discussions in Pyongyang and Beijing, respectively.

Kim suspended meaningful dialogue with the United States and South Korea since his nuclear diplomacy with former U.S. President Donald Trump failed in 2019. Utilizing Russia’s war against Ukraine as a diversion, Kim bolstered his nuclear weapons and missiles while insisting that Washington drop the nuclear disarmament condition for talks.