Putin Confirms Russia-North Korea Relations Progressing According to Plan with Troop Support in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed during a meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui that relations between Russia and North Korea are progressing according to plan, urging Choe to convey his best wishes to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The two countries signed a strategic partnership treaty last year, which includes a mutual defense pact, and North Korea has reportedly supported Russia's war effort in Ukraine with troops, ammunition, and missiles. Estimates from South Korea and Ukraine suggest over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed in Ukraine, with around 2,000 casualties. Putin referenced detailed discussions he had with Kim Jong Un in Beijing last month, emphasizing the strength and development prospects of their bilateral ties. Additionally, Russian and North Korean officials condemned what they described as aggressive actions by the United States and its allies, blaming them for escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. These developments highlight the deepening military and diplomatic cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.