Russia thanks North Korea for supporting war in Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov arrived in Pyongyang, thanking North Korea for its "steadfast support" of the war in Ukraine, saying bilateral relations had reached a "strategic" level.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Pyongyang on October 18, starting a two-day visit to North Korea. North Korean media said Lavrov's visit would mark an "important opportunity" to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Speaking at a reception hosted by North Korea that evening, Lavrov said Russia "highly appreciates North Korea's principled and steadfast support" for Russia's activities related to the "special military operation" in Ukraine. "Russia also fully supports and stands in solidarity with the aspirations of North Korea," Lavrov said.

Lavrov's visit is expected to lay the groundwork for a future visit to North Korea by President Vladimir Putin. During a meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui today, Lavrov said the two countries' relations had reached a new level.

"After the landmark summit in September between President Putin and leader Kim Jong-un, we can confidently say that Russia-DPRK relations have reached a qualitatively new strategic level," he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (left) and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui at a welcoming party in Pyongyang on October 18. Photo: AFP

During his visit to Russia and meeting with President Putin last month, leader Kim Jong-un affirmed that bilateral relations with Moscow were Pyongyang's "number one priority". Mr. Kim Jong-un also invited Mr. Putin to visit North Korea, and the Russian president accepted.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the timing of Putin's visit had not been determined through diplomatic channels. He said Foreign Minister Lavrov's visit could provide some clarity on the matter.

Warm relations between Russia and North Korea have been strengthened since the conflict in Ukraine broke out in December 2022. Pyongyang has repeatedly publicly supported Russia at the United Nations, stressing that the "hegemonic and arbitrary policies" of the US and its Western allies were the cause of the war. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un affirmed that strengthening cooperation with neighboring Russia is "natural".

Huyen Le (According to AFP , Reuters )

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