Putin met North Korea's foreign minister in Moscow, praising war aid
What's new: Putin thanked Pyongyang for troops and weapons support for Russia's war in Ukraine as bilateral military ties deepen.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Moscow on July 19 and publicly praised Pyongyang's backing for Russia's war in Ukraine. Choe traveled from Pyongyang for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after Russia's foreign ministry invited her for an official visit. Moscow and Pyongyang have drawn closer since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, signing a defense pact during Putin's 2024 visit to North Korea. Reports say North Korea has provided missiles, munitions and thousands of troops, including forces sent to Russia's Kursk region. Analysts say Moscow has returned financial assistance, food, energy supplies and military technology.