Vladimir Putin embraces Kim Jong Un and thanks his 'unwavering support' after Russia's failure in Ukraine
The two leaders embraced on the tarmac in Pyongyang
Reuters
Vladimir Putin has hailed North Korea's "consistent and unwavering support" for Russia's campaign in Ukraine in a landmark visit to the isolated East Asian nation which has been met with condemnation in the West.
The Russian premier was pictured embracing North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un as he stepped out on the runway in the latter's capital, Pyongyang - with North Korean state media claiming the pair shared their "pent-up inmost thoughts" as they drove to the country's state guest house.
On Putin's first trip to the state in 24 years, the two leaders talked up their commitment to combatting what Russian outlets called the hegemonic, imperialist policy of the US and its allies - as well as teaming up on nuclear weapons programmes.
As the duo paraded through Pyongyang, they were met with an honour guard of mounted soldiers, huge crowds of civilians, children holding balloons, and enormous portraits of the two leaders and national flags displayed on buildings in the capital's Kim Il-Sung square.
The two leaders embraced on the tarmac in Pyongyang
Reuters
Putin told North Korean officials: "We highly appreciate your consistent and unwavering support for Russian policy, including in the Ukrainian direction."
While Kim said North Korea-Russia relations were entering a period of "new high prosperity", just months after a reverse meeting between the two authoritarian leaders in Russia's distant east.
The Supreme Leader said: "Now the situation in the world is becoming more complicated and changing rapidly.
"In such a situation, we intend to further strengthen strategic communication with Russia, with the Russian leadership."
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Crowds of flag-waving children greeted the duo in the capital
Reuters
He added that North Korea "expresses full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in carrying out a special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests, as well as territorial integrity."
The countries' partnership is an "engine for accelerating the building of a new multi-polar world" and Putin's visit demonstrates the invincibility and durability of their friendship and unity, North Korea's state news agency KCNA said.
The landmark talks come amid a Russian offensive in Ukraine which has been riddled with setbacks and delays; more than two years since Putin's troops, tanks, aircraft and missiles first breached Ukraine's eastern borders, a now-heavily-sanctioned Russia has been forced into isolation by much of the Western world.
And rebuttals and sanctions from former trade partners - notably those in Europe which once relied on Russian oil and gas - appear to have forced Putin's hand, pushing him further east in search of allies.
Enormous portraits of the two leaders were seen displayed on buildings in the capital's Kim Il-Sung square
Reuters
Key on the agenda in Pyongyang was nuclear weapons. The US and its allies have said they fear Russia could provide aid for North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, which are banned by UN Security Council resolutions, and have accused Pyongyang of providing ballistic missiles and artillery shells that Russia has used in its war in Ukraine.
And while both Moscow and Pyongyang have issued official denials of weapons transfers, experts have warned that any successful Russian provision to its rogue ally on its borders could have disastrous consequences.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies' Korea Chair, Victor Cha, has said nuclear missiles and submarines handed out by Putin "would allow Kim to target the entirety of the United States with a nuclear force that Washington would have difficulty taking out in a preemptive first strike".