Kim Jong Un of North Korea Promises “Unconditional Support” for Russia’s War in Ukraine
Foreign Minister Lavrov’s visit to North Korea was marked by Kim Jong Un’s promise of “unconditional support” for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
State media outlet KCNA reports that Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, has promised his “unconditional support” for Russia’s war in Ukraine. He will back any steps Moscow takes to deal with what he called the “root cause of the Ukrainian crisis.”
Kim Jong-un met with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, in Pyongyang on Saturday and said that North Korea would support Russia’s military operation. People who were there said it was “an atmosphere full of warm comradely trust.”
In his speech, Kim said, “I have no doubt that the Russian army and people will win in their sacred cause to defend the country’s dignity and basic interests.”
Western leaders think that Pyongyang has sent as many as 11,000 troops to help Russia with its attack, which began in February 2022 and is still going on. Security officials in Moscow say that North Korea has promised to send thousands of workers as well as troops to help rebuild the war-torn Kursk region in Russia.
Russia’s foreign ministry put up video of Kim and Lavrov giving each other a warm hug. According to Russia’s TASS news agency, Lavrov also met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and thanked the “heroic” North Korean troops who were sent to the front lines.
North Korea’s statement of support came after US President Donald Trump decided to give Ukraine military help again after a short break. Trump said on Thursday that the US and NATO had agreed to send Patriot air defense weapons to Ukraine in response to Russia’s increasing air attacks.
In April, Pyongyang first said in public that it was providing military aid to Russia. This was months after Kyiv and its Western partners said that North Korean troops had been sent to the front lines.
Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual defense agreement in June 2024. This meant that they would help each other defend themselves against acts of attack.
