Putin Emphasizes Development of Trade-Security Relations with North Korea During Visit to Pyongyang

During his visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin committed to developing Moscow's trade and security relations with Pyongyang in a way that is outside Western control. Putin's note was published in the 'Rodong Sinmun', the organ of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, and refers to seven decades of relations and cooperation between the two countries based on 'equality, mutual respect, and trust.' Putin's two-day official visit to North Korea begins on Tuesday, June 18, marking a rare visit as he has not traveled to North Korea since taking leadership in Russia. However, he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un nine months ago during Kim's visit to Russia's Far East. According to Reuters, in his note of commitment to North Korea, Putin wrote that they would expand alternative mechanisms for mutual trade and settlement that are not under Western control and jointly resist 'illegal unilateral restrictions' from the West. He stated that they would create a security order based on equal and indivisible security in Eurasia. In this note, Putin praised North Korea for supporting the 'special military operation,' referring to the ongoing war in Ukraine for the past 28 months. Putin also committed to supporting Pyongyang's efforts to defend its interests despite 'pressure, extortion, and military threats from the U.S.' The publication of notes and articles by leaders of a guest country in major official publications of the host government is a common practice. Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy advisor, previously emphasized that the security agreements signed during this visit would not be 'against any other country.' Ushakov referred to the signing of a 'strategic partnership treaty.' Defense and foreign ministers and the head of the Russian space agency are among the officials accompanying Putin on his trip to North Korea. Following the initial news of Putin's trip to North Korea and the security agreements to be signed, the U.S. expressed concern. Washington is worried that Russia may seek weapons and parts for arms to use in the Ukraine war. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said on Monday that North Korea has sent dozens of ballistic missiles and over 11,000 containers of ammunition to Russia for use in the Ukraine war. According to Miller, Putin has been looking to receive weapons from Iran and North Korea in recent months out of 'desperation' to compensate for lost arms on the front lines of the Ukraine war. Russia and North Korea have denied any arms cooperation between them. John Kirby, the White House National Security Advisor, also stated on Monday that deepening relations between Russia and North Korea could impact security on the Korean Peninsula. Reuters cited a report by Victor Cha, a former U.S. security official and current researcher at a U.S. strategic studies think tank, who called Putin's visit to North Korea 'the biggest threat to U.S. national security since the Korean War.' Cha noted that the historical relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have been revived following the war in Ukraine, undermining security in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. The Pyongyang government has been under UN sanctions for nearly two decades due to its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. Russia's position as a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power is significant in preventing the expansion of sanctions against North Korea. Like China, Russia views the intensification of sanctions against North Korea and the joint military exercises of the U.S. and South Korea as provocations. However, Washington believes that Russia and China have emboldened Pyongyang's leadership by supporting North Korea. After his visit to North Korea, Putin will also head to Vietnam for a two-day trip, which has already displeased the U.S. The U.S. has been Vietnam's top trading partner for decades and has expanded relations with Hanoi in recent years.