Kim Jong-un to visit Russia to meet Putin: talk will be about arms sales to Moscow - NYT

In September 2023, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may visit Russian Federation with an official visit. Tentatively, he plans to travel from Pyongyang, his country's capital, to Vladivostok, Russian Federation, by armored train and meet with Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin.

According to The New York Times, the two sides will discuss military cooperation. In particular, Moscow will negotiate arms shipments from Pyongyang to likely use in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

NYT, citing sources, writes that Putin wants Kim Jong-un to agree to send Russia artillery shells and anti-tank missiles. The North Korean leader, in turn, would like the Russian president to authorize the provision of advanced technologies for satellites and nuclear submarines to the DPRK. Kim Jong-un is also seeking food aid for his impoverished country.

Journalists' sources said the two leaders will arrive at the Far Eastern Federal University campus in Vladivostok to attend the Eastern Economic Forum, which will be held from Sept. 10 to 13. Kim also plans to visit Pier 33, where warships of the Russian Pacific Fleet are moored.

According to unconfirmed reports, a North Korean delegation recently traveled to Russia by train to plan their leader's future visit.

In late August, a delegation of about 20 DPRK officials, including those who oversee the leadership's security protocols, traveled by train from Pyongyang to Vladivostok and then flew to Moscow. The trip took about 10 days, according to individuals familiar with the intelligence reports.

While the White House declined to discuss the new intelligence, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrianne Watson acknowledged that the U.S. expects "diplomatic engagement at the leadership level" on the arms sale between Russia and North Korea.

"We call on the DPRK to cease arms talks with Russia and honor Pyongyang's public commitments not to supply or sell weapons to Russian Federation," Watson said.

As OBOZREVATEL wrote:

- In July 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea for the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, celebrated in North Korea as "Victory Day," and met with Kim Jong-un. It was the first visit of a Russian defense minister to this country since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

- According to media reports, Shoigu offered Kim Jong-un to hold joint naval exercises between Russia, North Korea and China.

- Earlier, the Russian and North Korean dictators exchanged letters and agreed to develop strategic relations.

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