Russian President Vladimir Putin is contemplating a visit to Pyongyang, North Korea, indicating a potential strengthening of ties between the two pariah states amid escalating international pressure.
On Sunday, January 21, North Korea’s state news agency KCNA revealed that Putin expressed his eagerness to visit North Korea soon during a courtesy meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Moscow last week. This development follows a recent September summit between the two nations, reinforcing the friendship and cooperation established under the banner of shared adversity.
The potential visit, Putin’s first to Pyongyang in over two decades, unfolds as both nations face increasing isolation by the West. Russia faces unprecedented sanctions and ostracization due to its ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine, while North Korea’s nuclear program and ballistic missile tests continue to generate regional and global tension.
According to the North Korean statement, both sides expressed concerns about the provocative actions of the U.S. and its allied forces, signaling a shared stance against Western dominance. Russia particularly acknowledged Pyongyang’s full support in its military operation in Ukraine, referencing the ongoing conflict.
The recent alignment between Russia and North Korea has raised concerns in the West. U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps argued that the global rejection of Russia has driven Putin to seek support from North Korea to sustain his illegal invasion. Shapps cautioned that this situation exacerbates the global security crisis and violates multiple UN resolutions.
While the exact timing and purpose of Putin’s potential visit to Pyongyang remain unclear, its symbolic significance is evident. This move could indicate the formalization of the growing Russian-North Korean alliance, potentially leading to increased military, economic, and diplomatic cooperation.
Ultimately, the implications extend beyond the two nations involved. A strengthened Russia-North Korea axis has the potential to further destabilize the Korean peninsula, challenge the global order, and encourage other countries to pursue their own agendas beyond the confines of international norms.
