Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un vow to help each other if either country is attacked | World News

The Russian president is visiting North Korea for the first time in 24 years. The international community is concerned about an agreement to exchange technology for ammunition for the deployment of his troops in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have vowed to help each other if either country is attacked.

The mutual defense clause is part of a comprehensive strategic partnership that the two countries signed in an effort to unite against the United States.

The Russian President, who is visiting North Korea For the first time in 24 years, it was claimed that the agreement was defensive and peaceful in nature.

Russian state media said Mr Putin spoke with Mr Kim We met in person for about two hours and thanked him for supporting his country in the war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin chief was given a big celebration upon his arrival in the North Korean capital on Wednesday.

Huge crowds lined the streets to greet the motorcade, chanting “Welcome, Putin” and waving flowers and North Korean and Russian flags.

International concern over an agreement in which North Korea Russia with urgently needed weapons in exchange for economic aid and technology transfers that could improve Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Kim said the “fiery friendship” was now even closer than in Soviet times and promised “full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in conducting the special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity.”

He also acknowledged Russia’s “important role and mission in maintaining strategic stability and balance in the world.”

“The situation in the world is worsening and changing rapidly,” Mr Kim said.

“In this situation, we intend to strengthen strategic cooperation with Russia.”

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps today described the scenes in Pyongyang as “bizarre.”

He added: “A new axis of tyranny is working to undermine our freedoms.”

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North Korea is subject to severe sanctions by the UN Security Council, of which Russia is a member, because of its weapons program. Russia is threatened with sanctions by the USA and its Western partners because of its aggression in Ukraine.

The two leaders also exchanged gifts: Mr Kim reportedly received a Russian-made limousine, a tea set and an admiral’s dagger, and President Putin was presented with various works of art.

The visit comes after a major attack by Russian forces on the Ukrainian fortress of Kharkiv failed with heavy losses.

It is believed that the arrival of more Western weapons – including F-16 fighter jets – in Ukraine will finally allow Kyiv’s defenders, who have been suffering from a shortage of ammunition for months, to go on the offensive again.