According to U.S. and allied sources, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is planning to visit Russia this month to hold discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the potential supply of weapons for the ongoing war in Ukraine. This news was reported by the New York Times on Monday. It is expected that Kim will travel to Vladivostok, a city on the Pacific Coast of Russia, from Pyongyang, most likely using an armored train for transportation.
The request for comment from the White House regarding this matter has not yet received an immediate response.
As Russia considers the idea of conducting joint military exercises with North Korea, this planned visit gains more significance. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, during his visit to North Korea, attempted to persuade Pyongyang to sell artillery ammunition to Russia.
In the past, the United States has expressed concerns that North Korea could provide additional weapons to Russia, a country that invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The war in Ukraine is strongly opposed by the United States and its European allies, while Moscow labels it a “special military operation.”
The concern about the arms negotiations between North Korea and Russia was reiterated by White House national security spokesman John Kirby on August 30, who emphasized that they were progressing actively.
Reporting on this development are Jasper Ward and Kanishka Singh, with editing by Scott Malone and Sandra Maler.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
