Putin Meets North Korean Diplomat, Affirms Steady Development of Ties
President Vladimir Putin of Russia recently met with North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in the Kremlin, marking another significant engagement between the two nations amidst growing tensions in the region. This meeting underscores the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea, particularly highlighted during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Diplomatic Engagement and Military Alliances
During their meeting, which included Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Putin expressed that the bilateral relations are developing “according to plan.” He conveyed warm regards to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In return, Choe relayed “warm wishes” from Kim and lauded the “spiritual closeness” shared between their countries.
Growing Military Support
Both nations, facing extensive Western sanctions, have significantly enhanced their collaboration in recent years. In 2024, they formalized a defense pact promising mutual military support in case of aggression. This partnership has led to North Korea providing approximately 10,000 troops to assist Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. Reports from Seoul and Kyiv estimate that around 600 North Korean soldiers have died in the conflict.
Impact of North Korean Troops in Ukraine
North Korea officially acknowledged its soldiers’ deployment in Ukraine in April, claiming their involvement contributed to Russia’s strategic successes, particularly in the Kursk region. Recently, Kim Jong Un inaugurated a museum in Pyongyang to honor the North Korean troops who lost their lives in this conflict, describing their participation as a step toward a new history of “militant solidarity” with Russia.
Past Meetings and International Reactions
This latest meeting builds on Putin’s previous engagement with Kim in September, where they discussed military cooperation during a military parade in Beijing. During that encounter, Putin praised the courage and heroism of North Korean soldiers in the ongoing war.
The evolving relationship between Russia and North Korea is raising concerns globally, particularly from the United States. Officials have noted that there is substantial evidence of increased technological support from Russia to North Korea, especially in satellite and space programs. Following the Putin-Kim meeting in September, U.S. President Donald Trump accused the two leaders of plotting against the U.S., a claim the Kremlin has dismissed.
- Key Meeting: Putin meets Choe Son Hui
- Date: October 27, 2025
- Troops Deployed: 10,000 North Korean soldiers
- Casualties: Estimated 600 North Korean soldiers dead in Ukraine
- Defense Pact: Signed in 2024 to mutual military assistance
The deepening alliance between these two nations is likely to reshape geopolitical dynamics in the region and will continue to attract global scrutiny.
