Russia and North Korea forge their strongest alliance since the Cold War

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a new partnership agreement on Wednesday, pledging mutual aid if either country is attacked. This agreement comes as both nations face increasing tensions with Western countries.

The deal, which covers security, trade, investment, and cultural and humanitarian ties, could represent the strongest bond between Moscow and Pyongyang since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Both leaders described this agreement as a significant enhancement of their relationship.

Putin’s visit to North Korea was his first in 24 years. The summit occurred amid growing concerns from the U.S. and its allies about an arms deal in which North Korea provides Russia with munitions for its war in Ukraine, in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile capabilities.

Kim called the agreement the “strongest ever treaty” between the two countries, elevating their relationship to an alliance level and pledging full support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Putin described the agreement as a “breakthrough document,” reflecting a shared desire to elevate their relations.

Upon Putin’s arrival in North Korea, Kim gave him a grand welcome. The leaders met at the airport, shook hands, hugged, and traveled together in a limousine through brightly lit streets adorned with giant Russian flags and portraits of Putin.

The following day, Putin attended a welcoming ceremony at the city’s main square, filled with tens of thousands of spectators, including children holding balloons and people wearing coordinated t-shirts in the colors of the Russian and North Korean flags. Huge crowds lined the streets, chanting “Welcome Putin” and waving flowers and flags.

Putin and Kim saluted an honor guard and walked across a red carpet. Kim introduced key members of his leadership team, including Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, top aide and ruling party secretary Jo Yong Won, and his powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong.

During their talks, Putin thanked Kim for North Korea’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, describing it as a fight against the “imperialist hegemonistic policies of the U.S. and its satellites.” He praised the historical ties between Russia and North Korea, dating back to Soviet support during World War II and the Korean War.

Kim highlighted the “fiery friendship” between their nations, promising full support and solidarity with Russia in its military operations in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests, and territorial integrity. However, the specifics of this support remain unclear.

North Korea and Russia both face heavy sanctions: North Korea for its weapons program, and Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. U.S. and South Korean officials accuse North Korea of supplying Russia with military equipment for use in Ukraine, possibly in exchange for military technologies and aid. Both Pyongyang and Moscow deny these accusations.

Russia, along with China, has provided political cover for Kim’s efforts to advance his nuclear arsenal, repeatedly blocking U.S.-led efforts to impose new U.N. sanctions on North Korea over its weapons tests. In March, a Russian veto at the U.N. ended the monitoring of sanctions against North Korea, leading to Western accusations that Moscow seeks to avoid scrutiny while buying weapons from Pyongyang.

Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov revealed that the two leaders exchanged gifts after their talks. Putin gave Kim a Russian-made Aurus limo and other items, including a tea set and a naval officer’s dagger. Kim’s gifts to Putin included artworks depicting the Russian leader.

Russian media reported that Kim would host a reception, and Putin was expected to leave for Vietnam on Wednesday evening.

In addition to security, the partnership includes cooperation in political, trade, investment, cultural, and humanitarian fields. Putin added that Russia would not rule out developing military-technical cooperation with North Korea under the new deal. The Kremlin’s website also mentioned agreements on building a road bridge on their shared border and cooperation in healthcare, medical education, and science.

Kim described the agreement as peaceful and defensive, expressing confidence that it would accelerate the creation of a new multipolar world.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Putin’s visit to North Korea shows Russia’s desperation to strengthen relations with countries that can support its war efforts in Ukraine. North Korea might also seek to increase labor exports to Russia and engage in other illicit activities to gain foreign currency in defiance of U.N. sanctions, according to a report by South Korea’s main spy agency’s think tank. The report suggested potential discussions on expanding cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, and mining, and promoting Russian tourism to North Korea.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest in years, with increased weapons tests by North Korea and intensified military exercises by the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, leading to a tit-for-tat cycle. The Koreas have also engaged in Cold War-style psychological warfare, with North Korea sending tons of trash to the South using balloons, and the South broadcasting anti-North Korean propaganda via loudspeakers.