Putin Live in North Korea: Kim Jong-un welcomes closer ties as visit looks to rebuild ties | Ukraine

Here's some more analysis from Professor Leif-Erik Easley of Ewa University in Seoul, who told news agency AFP that Putin's visit was his way of saying thank you. North Korea For acting as an 'arsenal of tyranny' in support of its illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The fact that the Russian leader is in the North is also “politically important because it allows Pyongyang's propaganda to portray Kim as a world leader,” he continued:

Moscow and Pyongyang will likely continue to deny violations of international law but have significantly disguised their illegal activities and enticed their cooperation.

Easley noted that any transfer of “sensitive military technology” to Pyongyang would not only violate UN sanctions but could destabilize the Korean Peninsula and East Asia.

Updated at 22:38 EDT

As Putin arrives in Pyongyang, U.S. and NATO officials are concerned about what assistance Russia might offer. North Korea and implications for security on the Korean Peninsula.

In a joint press briefing with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said:

We are certainly also concerned about the potential support Russia provides to North Korea in supporting its missile and nuclear programs.

Separately, White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre said in a news briefing that deepening Russia-North Korea cooperation “is a trend that should be of great concern to all interested in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

The top US arms control official, Under Secretary of State Bonnie Jenkins, said she believes North Korea is interested in acquiring warplanes, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment or materials and other advanced technology from Russia. .

Blinken, meanwhile, said Putin's visit to Pyongyang was a sign of his “desperation” to strengthen ties with countries that might support his war. Ukraine.

Updated at 22.20 EDT

Prosecutors have asked for a prison sentence of four years and eight months for a US soldier detained in the Russian city of Vladivostok for burglary and threatening to kill his girlfriend, Reuters reported, citing the Russian agency:

Gordon Black, who was Arrested on May 2 In Vladivostok, in Russia's far east, pleaded not guilty Monday to threatening to kill his girlfriend but admitted he was “partially” guilty of stealing from her.

“(We are asking for) four years and eight months in prison, to be served in a penal colony,” Russia's Riya state news agency quoted the prosecutor as saying at the court hearing.

Prosecutors also sought a fine of 40,000 rubles ($469), RIA reported. Black's defense attorney asked the court to acquit him of all charges, Rhea reported.

Earlier, Rhea reported that Black had “partially” pleaded guilty to stealing 10,000 rubles ($113) from his girlfriend Alexandra Vashchuk's purse but said there was “no motive”.

The pair met in South Korea, where Blac was. The Pentagon said he violated military regulations by traveling to Russia without authorization through China.

Updated at 22.05 EDT

Kim and Putin will spend almost the entire day “at the negotiating table in various formats,” the Russian news agency reported Card report. It quoted Putin aide Yuri Ushakov as saying the visit showed Russia was open to cooperation with all countries “despite the West's concerted efforts to put pressure on us.”

Ushakov “drew special attention to the fact that Korean friends show an understanding of the real causes and essence of the Ukrainian crisis,” Tass wrote: “Moscow appreciates it”.

The talks will put “significant attention” on the international agenda, Tass wrote, adding:

It is important that the current foreign policy issues of the two countries closely or completely coincide.

A number of joint documents are to be signed and Ushakov did not deny that among them could be a new comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, which replaces the previous agreements of 1961, 2000 and 2001 and which will expand cooperation, Tass reported.

Asked whether the document would include military-technical cooperation and military assistance, Ushakov replied:

It will outline the possibilities of further cooperation and will be signed, naturally, taking into account what has happened between the two countries in recent years in the field of international politics, in the economic field and in relations on all lines. Taking security issues into consideration..

Updated at 21.44 EDT

In an analysis of what North Korea wants from Putin's visit, Rachel Minyoung Lee, a senior fellow at 38 North, a Washington-based think tank focused on North Korea, suggested the country may have long-term economic goals. He wrote:

It is almost certainly no coincidence that since June 2023, there has been a significant increase in state media coverage of the way North Korea was aligning itself more closely with Russia. The BRICs And Russia To explore alternative economic systems that do not require the US dollar.

Historically, one of the main reasons North Korea pursued improved relations with Washington was to ease sanctions and regain access to the international financial system.

If Pyongyang sees Russia as a viable long-term partner to improve its economy — this may seem counterintuitive to some — it has even less of an incentive to try to improve relations with the United States.

Updated at 21.24 EDT

Here are some of the best images from Putin's visit to Pyongyang that have come to us on the wire so far:

Updated at 21.03 EDT