Ukraine-Russia war news: North Korea warns US of ‘new world war’; Ukraine moves closer to EU dream | World news

Welcome back to our live coverage of the Ukraine war.

Before we begin, here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know to start a new week.

Putin’s visit to North Korea

Last week, Vladimir Putin paid his first visit to North Korea in more than 24 years as the two countries deepen relations under the watchful eye of the West.

Putin and Kim Jong Un signed an agreement pledging mutual aid in the event of an invasion, marking the strongest bond between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War.

Mr Kim said the pact amounted to an “alliance”, while Mr Putin hailed it as a “groundbreaking document”.

During the pomp-filled visit, the two leaders took turns driving around in a Russian Aurus limousine – a vehicle the Kremlin said was gifted to Mr Kim by the Russian president.

In a later press conference, Putin said Moscow did not rule out the possibility of supplying weapons to Pyongyang.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the defense pact between Russia and North Korea indicated closer cooperation between “authoritarian powers,” while the United States described Putin’s comments about possible arms deliveries to North Korea as “incredibly worrying.”

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Russia must comply with UN sanctions against North Korea.

attacks

Russian government officials on Sunday accused Ukraine of attacking the important port city of Sevastopol in Crimea with five ATACMS missiles supplied by the United States.

At least five people were killed, including three children, and more than 100 others were injured, authorities said.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that four of the missiles were shot down by air defenses and a fifth detonated in the air. It accused Washington of bearing primary responsibility for the reported attack.

A video shown on Russian state television showed sounds that sounded like explosions as people were seen running for cover on a beach in Sevastopol.

Meanwhile, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine said one person was killed in an attack by three Ukrainian drones on the town of Grayvoron on Sunday.

On the same day that Russia claimed responsibility for several attacks in Ukraine, Moscow’s latest attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, left one person dead and four others injured.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov said Kharkiv was attacked by a guided bomb, a day after three people were killed in the city when Russian bombs hit a five-story residential building.

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The US announced that it would redirect planned deliveries of Patriot and other missiles intended for its partner countries to Kyiv.

White House spokesman John Kirby said the decision was “difficult but necessary” because Ukrainian forces “urgently” needed more air defense capabilities in the face of increased Russian attacks.

According to Mr Kirby, deliveries to Kyiv will be prioritised over the next 16 months or so as they roll off the production line.

Trial of imprisoned journalist

Russia announced last week that the espionage trial of imprisoned US journalist Evan Gershkovich would take place behind closed doors later this month.

The 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter is accused of collecting “secret information” for the CIA about Uralvagonzavod, a factory that manufactures and repairs military equipment.

The first hearing is scheduled for June 26.

The Wall Street Journal has denied the allegations against Mr Gershkovich and Joe Biden has called his detention “completely illegal.”

Vladimir Putin said there had been contacts with Washington about a possible prisoner exchange related to the reporter, but gave no further details.