Putin will make his first trip to North Korea in 24 years

The leaders' most recent meeting took place in Vladivostok, Russia, in September.

In advance of his first visit to Pyongyang in 24 years, Russian President Vladimir Putin has lauded North Korea for "firmly supporting" Moscow's conflict in Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Mr. Putin is anticipated to arrive in the nation's capital to meet with Kim Jong Un.

This is Mr. Putin's first trip to Pyongyang since 2000, although the two leaders recently met in September at the Vostochny cosmodrome in the far east Russian Federation.

Mr. Putin pledged to establish commercial and security arrangements with Pyongyang "that are not controlled by the West" in a letter that was made public by North Korean state media. In an essay published in Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of North Korea's governing party, President Putin also pledged support for Pyongyang's attempts to protect its interests against what he described as "US pressure, blackmail, and military threats".

"Resolutely opposing" Western objectives "to hinder the establishment of a multipolarized world order based on mutual respect for justice," he said, the two nations will persist in their opposition. "Deepening relationship between these two countries" was the source of worry, according to the United States. According to Russian media, Mr. Putin and Mr. Kim may sign a collaboration agreement, including on security problems, and may make joint comments to the media. The Kremlin has characterized the occasion as a "friendly state visit."

It is planned to have a parade at Kim Il Sung Square. In addition, Mr. Putin is anticipated to attend a performance and pay a visit to Pyongyang's Orthodox Church of the Life-Giving Trinity, which is the sole Orthodox building in North Korea. According to rumors, Russian President Vladimir Putin will lodge in Pyongyang's Kumsusan guesthouse, which is where Chinese President Xi Jinping slept on his official visit to North Korea in 2019.

Along with Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister, and Alexander Novak, the deputy prime minister, Mr. Putin is anticipated to come alongside Andrei Belousov, his new defense minister. Relations with Russia have "developed into an unbreakable relationship of comrades-in-arms," according to Mr. Kim's statement from last week. When they met last year, Mr. Kim wished Russia's president "victory" in Ukraine, while Mr. Putin indicated he saw "possibilities" for military cooperation with North Korea.

The US is worried about deeper relations between North Korea and Russia, according to the White House. John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, told reporters on Monday that "we're not concerned about the trip" by Mr. Putin. "What we are concerned regarding is the deepening relationship between these two countries."

According to John Nilsson-Wright, director of the Centre for Geopolitics at Cambridge University's Japan and Koreas program, Mr. Putin is "growing ties with its old Cold War partner" in an attempt to "counter any suggestion that the US and its closest partners have been able to isolate Moscow". In the Middle East, East Asia, and Ukraine, he said, "he is strengthening ties between authoritarian regimes at a time when democratic governments are in a defensive position, confronting global security challenges."

When Mr. Putin began serving as president in 2000, he first met Kim Jong Il, the father of Mr. Kim, who was still the head of state. Recent years have seen a growth in ties between the two outcast nations, particularly in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Following its recent inability to launch a second spy satellite into orbit, North Korea needs assistance with space technology in addition to food, fuel, and foreign currency.

As Russia continues to lack weaponry for its conflict in Ukraine. Pyongyang is said by Washington and Seoul to have sent Moscow artillery and other weaponry, most likely in return for food, military technology, and other help. Russia and North Korea both deny the existence of any weapons agreement. Mr. Putin is anticipated to go to Vietnam, a Communist nation and close friend, after his visit to North Korea, where the two nations are anticipated to talk about matters including trade.