Russian President Vladimir Putin extended a warm welcome to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Region. A video shared by the Kremlin captured the two leaders shaking hands as they met on Wednesday RT reports.
Putin’s visit to Vostochny followed a two-day attendance at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, while Kim Jong-un traveled to the facility aboard his armored train after crossing into Russian territory on Tuesday morning.
“I’m very pleased to see you,” Putin remarked to his guest, recognizing significant milestones, including North Korea’s 75th founding anniversary, 70 years since the Korean War armistice, and 75 years of diplomatic relations with Russia.
Kim expressed gratitude to Putin for the invitation and the warm welcome, as depicted in videos shared by Russian media outlets.
Regarding the agenda of the Russian-North Korean summit, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov explained that the upcoming discussions would address several sensitive issues, alongside matters of bilateral economic and cultural cooperation and the overall regional situation. Peskov noted that negotiations would take place with both Russian and North Korean delegations, as well as in a one-on-one format.
Kim’s visit to Russia occurs amidst heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, marked by recurrent missile launches by Pyongyang and military exercises involving South Korean and US forces. On Wednesday, just prior to the meeting with Putin, Seoul accused Pyongyang of yet another missile launch.