For several months, analysts have anticipated President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea. The Kremlin has now confirmed it, suggesting it may take place on Tuesday, with satellite images indicating preparations underway in North Korea. Following North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia’s Far East last year in his distinctive green bulletproof train, he extended an invitation to Putin, who accepted it. Journalists from Russia and abroad are eagerly seeking updates, while the Kremlin states that details will be disclosed in due course. Speculation remains intense.
Why is Putin’s visit to North Korea significant?
This would be Putin’s second visit to North Korea, the first being in 2000 when Kim Jong Il was in power. The relationship between Russia and North Korea, though not as strong as during the Soviet era, has evolved from polite diplomacy to mutual benefits, raising concerns in the West. The Kremlin asserts that their relationship has significant potential, cautioning those who might challenge their growing ties.
Mutual benefits and strategic interests
Speculation abounds regarding the mutual benefits sought by both nations, primarily concerning the security of supplies. Russia may seek ammunition, construction workers, and even volunteers for the front lines in Ukraine.
In return, North Korea could receive Russian goods and technological assistance for its military, including its long-range missile program, which targets the US.
Recent reports indicate that North Korea has already shipped nearly five million artillery shells to Russia. Both countries, heavily sanctioned by the international community, find a strategic partnership advantageous.
Putin-Kim chemistry defines Russia-North Korea diplomacy
Recently, Moscow showed its support for North Korea by vetoing a UN Security Council resolution to extend sanctions against Pyongyang. There are signs of a cautiously friendly relationship between the two leaders.
For instance, in February, Putin gifted Kim a luxury Russian limousine, despite UN sanctions. Kim Jong Un has expressed solidarity with Russia, describing North Korea as an “invincible comrade-in-arms.”
What are the broader implications?
Putin’s visit to North Korea is a statement to his critics, showcasing his defiance against Western sanctions and his ability to forge new international relations despite ongoing conflicts. His trip underscores Russia’s shift towards non-Western alliances, aligning with nations that share a disdain for US-led global dominance.
Russia’s efforts to establish stronger ties with countries like Iran and Zimbabwe, also under significant sanctions, highlight this strategic realignment.
Three is symbolism amid risks
Putin’s anticipated visit is rich in symbolism, particularly in the context of Russia’s pivot to the East. While China may have reservations about Russia’s rapprochement with North Korea, any critical boundaries would have been addressed during Putin’s recent meetings with Xi Jinping.
Despite the grandiosity of Russia’s state ceremonies, North Korea matches this with its own displays of power. This convergence suggests a narrowing gap between the leadership styles of the two nations.
How Russians and the West see it
Domestically, ordinary Russians might not fully embrace closer ties with North Korea, given their cultural and historical connections with Europe and the West. This presents a potential risk for Putin, along with possible new measures from Western powers following the meeting.
The specifics of any agreements made during the visit are likely to remain undisclosed, as was the case during Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia last year. Nevertheless, the optics will be carefully managed to portray Putin’s defiance and autonomy on the world stage.
