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Putin willing to visit Pyongyang at early date, North Korea says, as Russia gives ‘deep thanks’ for support
- Russia leader’s visit to North Korea, which could come before Russia’s presidential election in March, would be his first since July 2000
- Russia also thanked North Korea for its support and solidarity in the Ukraine war, with both countries expressing serious concerns over US behaviour
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Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to visit Pyongyang at an early date, North Korea’s state-run media said on Sunday.
Putin expressed “deep thanks” for an invitation by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit the capital during a meeting earlier this week with the country’s visiting foreign minister, Choe Son-Hui, the official Korean Central News Agency said.
The North Korean government “warmly welcomes President Putin to visit Pyongyang and is ready to greet the Korean people’s closest friend with the greatest sincerity”, KCNA said.
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Putin’s visit to North Korea, which could come before Russia’s presidential election in March, would be his first since July 2000 when the country was led by Kim’s late father, Kim Jong-il.
Russia thanked North Korea for its support and solidarity in the Ukraine war, and the two also expressed serious concerns over provocative acts by the United States and its allies against Pyongyang’s sovereign rights while agreeing to cooperate in regional affairs, the report said.
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Satellite imagery suggests North Korea is supplying Russia with weapons through Rason port
Satellite imagery suggests North Korea is supplying Russia with weapons through Rason port
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