Kim Pledges Support for Russia's 'Sacred Fight' in Meeting With Putin

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Facts

• In his first trip outside North Korea since 2019 — when he traveled to Russia and met with Pres. Vladimir Putin — Kim Jong Un again went to the country and met with his Russian counterpart on Wednesday.¹
• Meeting Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's far east, where the two men toured the Soyuz-2 space rocket launch facility, the North Korean leader pledged 'full and unconditional support' for Russia, adding that Pyongyang will always stand with Russia in the fight against anti-imperialism.²
• 'Russia is waging a sacred fight to defend its sovereignty, security interests and justice,' Kim said. 'I take this opportunity to affirm that we will always stand with Russia on the anti-imperialist front,' he added.²
• The meeting comes amid reports that Russia is trying to secure North Korean weaponry for its war in Ukraine, while North Korea seeks Russian technology for satellites and rockets. When asked about a possible weapons deal, Putin replied the leaders would discuss 'all issues.' On Russian rocket and satellite technology, the Kremlin leader said: 'That’s why we came here.'¹
• Following a tour of the facility, Putin and Kim went for private talks where they were also expected to discuss economic cooperation and humanitarian assistance for North Korea. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that no documents would be signed today.³
• Meanwhile, just hours before the talks, North Korea launched a test of two ballistic missiles into the sea off the nation's east coast. A Japanese official said the missiles landed in the waters outside of the country's exclusive economic zone. There were no reports of damage to vessels or aircraft.⁴

Sources: ¹Guardian, ²Associated Press, ³TASS and ⁴Al Jazeera.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Guardian. The fact that Putin has traveled all the way to Russia's far east to meet with Kim shows just how desperate the isolated leader is to secure weaponry while his country struggles to keep up with the production of munitions needed to fight his war in Ukraine.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. North Korea is Russia's close neighbor. As such, Moscow will strive to strike deals that mutually benefit both countries. What outside administrations have to say about this diplomatic relationship is of no importance and will not factor into Russia's decision making.

Predictions