Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un met in Beijing on Wednesday after attending a grand military parade commemorating the 79th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event, held in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, featured thousands of troops and military equipment, showcasing China’s military might. Both leaders were present at the parade before moving to the Diaoyutai state guest house for their bilateral discussions.
According to reports, Putin and Kim were joined by other world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, during the parade. The two leaders then proceeded to their bilateral talks in the same car after a formal reception, as stated by the Kremlin on social media. The meeting is seen as a significant step in strengthening Russia-North Korea military alliances.
Putin opened the talks by commending the North Korean soldiers for their bravery and heroism in supporting Russia’s military operations against Ukraine. Specifically, North Korea has been providing troops to help defend Russia’s Kursk border region. South Korean estimates suggest that over 15,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia since last year.
North Korea has also been supplying Russia with ballistic missiles and other military equipment. This military cooperation has drawn attention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Putin, Xi, and Kim are conspiring against the U.S. following the parade.
Kim, in his remarks, stated that his country’s cooperation with Russia has ‘significantly strengthened’ since their strategic partnership agreement in June. While he did not address the Russia-Ukraine conflict directly, he assured Putin that North Korea is ready to support Russia in any manner possible.
The encounter is the first time Kim has visited Beijing since 2019, underscoring his efforts to bolster relations with both China and Russia. Kim was accompanied by senior party officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. The visit follows a meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Trump in Washington, D.C., where the focus was on countering North Korea’s nuclear and missile advancements.
The summit highlights the growing alignment between Russia and North Korea, as both countries seek to counter Western influence and strengthen their strategic partnerships. Analysts suggest that this cooperation could have broader implications for global security and international relations in the coming months.