Russian President Vladimir Putin called for strengthening the “strategic partnership“ with Pyongyang in a congratulatory message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his re-election as head of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Agence France-Presse and TASS reported, quoted by BTA.
“Of course, we will continue our close joint work aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang“, Putin said in the message published by the Kremlin, assuring that “this undoubtedly corresponds to the fundamental interests“ of the two peoples.
He also praised Kim's "personal contribution" to "strengthening friendly ties between allies" between the two countries, linked to a mutual defense treaty signed in 2024.
North Korea has been actively involved in Moscow's military efforts, providing it with soldiers to repel a Ukrainian offensive in the Russian Kursk region, as part of the offensive in Ukraine that has been ongoing since February 2022. In return, Russia has provided North Korea with financial assistance, military technology and food and energy supplies, according to analysts.
In early January, Kim Jong-un pledged to "unconditionally support" all of Vladimir Putin's policies and decisions in a letter published by the official North Korean news agency KCNA, AFP recalls.