North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed his admiration and solidarity with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that Russia is fighting a “sacred fight” to defend its sovereignty and security against “hegemonic forces” that oppose it.
Kim made the remarks during his meeting with Putin in Vladivostok on Wednesday, where the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and regional issues, according to the Russian news agency TASS.
Kim said that his visit came at “a special time” when Russia is facing challenges from the West, especially the United States, which has imposed sanctions and pressured Moscow over various issues, such as Ukraine, Syria, and cyberattacks.
“Now, Russia is fighting a sacred fight to protect its state sovereignty and security while combating hegemonic forces that oppose Russia,” Kim said, adding that his visit came at “a special time.”
The North Korean leader expressed his full support to the Russian leadership. “We have always supported every decision that President Putin or the Russian government makes,” Kim said. According to him, Pyongyang is seeking to develop further its relationship with Moscow.
Kim also thanked Putin for his efforts to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, saying that he hopes to continue the dialogue with the US and other parties. He said that North Korea is committed to denuclearization, but also expects respect and security guarantees from the international community.
Putin, for his part, welcomed Kim’s visit and praised the progress made by North Korea in its economic and social development. He said that Russia is ready to expand its cooperation with North Korea in various fields, such as trade, energy, infrastructure, and humanitarian aid.
Putin also said that he supports the peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy. He said that he will share his views with the US and China, which are also involved in the negotiations.
The meeting between Kim and Putin was the first summit between the two leaders since Kim came to power in 2011. It was also Kim’s first foreign trip since his second summit with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi in February, which ended without an agreement on denuclearization and sanctions relief.
(With inputs from TASS)
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