This pool image distributed by Sputnik agency shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (L) shaking hands during their meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur region on September 13, 2023, ahead of planned talks that could lead to a weapons deal with Russian President.
The Kremlin confirmed Tuesday (October 3) that Russian President Vladimir Putin would travel to North Korea in the coming weeks in response to the visit North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made last month.
According to the Washington Times, which first broke the story, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted telling reporters that the dates for the Pyongyang visit would likely be finalized after the scheduled visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov this month.
"[Putin] is not yet going to North Korea," Peskov said. "He has an invitation and he accepted it with gratitude."
Putin's Limited Trips
Ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Putin has not ventured out of Russia this year beyond visits to Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, However, he recently announced that he would travel to China this month to discuss Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative with Xi Jinping.
Kim met with Putin at a spaceport in Russia's Far East region as part of an unusually lengthy five-day visit that included inspection tours of Russian nuclear strategic bombers, hypersonic missiles, and warships.
Despite Russia being part of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Putin has opted not to come as it will take place in San Francisco next month. He was previously issued with a warrant of arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which prompted signatories of the Rome Statute to declare their intention to arrest Putin.
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Western Fears of Moscow-Pyongyang Ties
Meanwhile, the US Biden administration expressed this week its renewed concerns that the North Korean-Russian alliance could include expanded shipments of North Korean artillery and other military equipment to sustain Putin's struggling forces in Ukraine.
"We continue to be concerned about increased ties between Russia and North Korea, especially as it comes to any potential transfer of weapons either from [North Korea] to Russia or from Russia to [North Korea]," US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a briefing Monday (October 2).
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