What Did Kim Jong-un Discuss with Russia's Lavrov? Insights from Their Recent Meeting

Kim Jong-un's Support for Russia in Ukraine Conflict

Seoul: In a recent meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reiterated his unwavering support for Russia's actions in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as reported by the North's state media on Sunday.

The discussions took place on Saturday, following Lavrov's arrival in North Korea for a second round of strategic talks with his North Korean counterpart, as cited by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

During their discussions, Kim and Lavrov focused on the effective execution of agreements made during Kim's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang last June, alongside strategies to enhance the strategic partnership between their nations, according to KCNA.

Kim emphasized that North Korea is prepared to support and endorse all measures taken by Russia to address the underlying issues of the Ukrainian crisis, in accordance with the mutual defense treaty between North Korea and Russia.

The KCNA noted that Kim stated, "Both nations align on all strategic matters, reflecting the high level of their alliance."

Lavrov acknowledged the strong diplomatic communication between the two countries and expressed his desire to further enhance their strategic and tactical cooperation on the global stage.

The meeting underscored the commitment of both North Korean and Russian leaders to closely collaborate in safeguarding their core interests and advancing bilateral relations under their comprehensive strategic partnership treaty.

Additionally, Lavrov conveyed warm greetings from President Putin to Kim, who reciprocated with his own friendly regards.

A prior report indicated that Lavrov communicated Putin's hope for direct engagement with Kim soon.

The KCNA also shared a statement from the strategic dialogue held the previous day between North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and Lavrov, reaffirming both nations' dedication to strengthening their long-term strategic ties through the mutual treaty.

In this statement, Russia expressed strong opposition to any attempts to undermine North Korea's current status, while North Korea reiterated its unconditional support for Russia's actions in Ukraine.

"Both sides have confirmed that their assessments of the current complex international landscape are aligned," the statement concluded, promising joint efforts to enhance strategic communication and coordinate their positions.

Lavrov arrived in Wonsan, North Korea, aboard a private jet on Friday for a three-day visit, with meetings held at the newly inaugurated Kalma beach resort area.