Ukraine war news: Putin and Kim sign new defence deal – Britain says ‘bizarre scenes’ should be a warning | World news

By Nicole Johnston, Asia correspondent, in Beijing

Every time Vladimir Putin leaves Russia it is significant, as he rarely leaves the country. But this trip – his first visit to secretive and isolated North Korea in 24 years – underscores how important the relationship between these countries has become.

Russia and North Korea have signed a strategic partnership to improve their relations. Although there aren’t many details, this deal is being closely watched in Asia, especially here in China.

China shares a long border with North Korea. The country is the isolated kingdom’s main supporter and accounts for 90 percent of North Korea’s trade.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also maintains close relations with Russia: he buys Russian oil and gas and supplies Russia with so-called “dual-use” machines and semiconductors, which the West says Russia is using in the war in Ukraine.

China does not want Russia to invade its traditional sphere of influence in North Korea.

Only yesterday, high-ranking politicians from China and South Korea met for talks in Seoul. China stated that maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula was in the common interest of all sides.

However, Xi agrees with Russia and North Korea on one point: there must be a new world order, a “multipolar” world instead of the US-dominated international system.

The problem is that China wants to be at the centre of this alternative order and be seen as a responsible global leader. It risks reputational damage if the multipolar bloc consists largely of countries that the West considers pariah states, such as Russia, North Korea and Iran.

South Korea is also concerned about Putin’s trip to Pyongyang.

It could encourage Mr Kim to have a strongman at his side while tensions are high on the Korean peninsula. Both North and South Korea have stepped up their cross-border attack campaigns in recent weeks.

Putin will next travel to Vietnam, where there are completely different problems. Vietnam is a symbol of a Southeast Asian country that is trying to stay close to the USA, Russia and China. It does not want to be forced into a decision.

But in this fragmented international environment, divided between the West and the developing countries of the “global South,” Vietnam and its neighbor may find that they ultimately have to choose sides.

The north sent balloons carrying garbage across the border and activists in the south sent balloons carrying propaganda leaflets.

It benefits both sides. The US claims that Russia receives supplies of artillery shells and ballistic missiles from North Korea. Putin and Kim deny this.

In return, Russia sends North Korea food, fuel and technology.

Watch: North Korea’s Garbage Balloons Explained