Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday, signaling deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang as North Korea becomes increasingly involved in Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian foreign ministry shared an image of the two leaders on Telegram, showing their meeting in Wonsan, a coastal city in eastern North Korea. Lavrov arrived in the country on Friday for a three-day diplomatic visit.
During his trip, Lavrov also held discussions with North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. According to Russia’s foreign ministry, the talks covered key bilateral and international issues.
At a press conference following the meeting, Lavrov stated, “We exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis,” as reported by Russian state news agency TASS. “Our North Korean partners reaffirmed their strong backing for all objectives of Russia’s special military operation, as well as for the decisions of our leadership and armed forces.”
The visit follows an announcement earlier this week by Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who described Lavrov’s trip as part of the “second phase of strategic dialogue” between the two nations. North Korea’s state-run KCNA also confirmed the visit, stating Lavrov had been invited by Pyongyang’s foreign ministry.
Lavrov’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment in Russia-North Korea relations. Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest Pyongyang is preparing to send an additional 25,000 to 30,000 troops to support Moscow’s intensified offensive in Ukraine, supplementing the roughly 11,000 soldiers allegedly deployed last year.
The growing alliance has drawn concern from the United States, with President Donald Trump recently criticizing Russian leader Vladimir Putin for undermining peace negotiations and vowing increased assistance for Ukraine.
This high-level engagement could further solidify a partnership that may not only influence the trajectory of the Ukraine war but also shift security dynamics in Asia.
Choe Son Hui previously traveled to Moscow in November 2024 for the initial round of strategic talks, where Lavrov highlighted what he described as “exceptionally close coordination” between North Korean military and intelligence agencies and their Russian counterparts.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Holds Talks with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Amid Strengthening Ties
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday, signaling deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang as North Korea becomes increasingly involved in Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian foreign ministry shared an image of the two leaders on Telegram, showing their meeting in Wonsan, a coastal city in eastern North Korea. Lavrov arrived in the country on Friday for a three-day diplomatic visit.
During his trip, Lavrov also held discussions with North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. According to Russia’s foreign ministry, the talks covered key bilateral and international issues.
At a press conference following the meeting, Lavrov stated, “We exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis,” as reported by Russian state news agency TASS. “Our North Korean partners reaffirmed their strong backing for all objectives of Russia’s special military operation, as well as for the decisions of our leadership and armed forces.”
The visit follows an announcement earlier this week by Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who described Lavrov’s trip as part of the “second phase of strategic dialogue” between the two nations. North Korea’s state-run KCNA also confirmed the visit, stating Lavrov had been invited by Pyongyang’s foreign ministry.
Lavrov’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment in Russia-North Korea relations. Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest Pyongyang is preparing to send an additional 25,000 to 30,000 troops to support Moscow’s intensified offensive in Ukraine, supplementing the roughly 11,000 soldiers allegedly deployed last year.
The growing alliance has drawn concern from the United States, with President Donald Trump recently criticizing Russian leader Vladimir Putin for undermining peace negotiations and vowing increased assistance for Ukraine.
This high-level engagement could further solidify a partnership that may not only influence the trajectory of the Ukraine war but also shift security dynamics in Asia.
Choe Son Hui previously traveled to Moscow in November 2024 for the initial round of strategic talks, where Lavrov highlighted what he described as “exceptionally close coordination” between North Korean military and intelligence agencies and their Russian counterparts.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Holds Talks with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Amid Strengthening Ties
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday, signaling deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang as North Korea becomes increasingly involved in Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian foreign ministry shared an image of the two leaders on Telegram, showing their meeting in Wonsan, a coastal city in eastern North Korea. Lavrov arrived in the country on Friday for a three-day diplomatic visit.
During his trip, Lavrov also held discussions with North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. According to Russia’s foreign ministry, the talks covered key bilateral and international issues.
At a press conference following the meeting, Lavrov stated, “We exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis,” as reported by Russian state news agency TASS. “Our North Korean partners reaffirmed their strong backing for all objectives of Russia’s special military operation, as well as for the decisions of our leadership and armed forces.”
The visit follows an announcement earlier this week by Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who described Lavrov’s trip as part of the “second phase of strategic dialogue” between the two nations. North Korea’s state-run KCNA also confirmed the visit, stating Lavrov had been invited by Pyongyang’s foreign ministry.
Lavrov’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment in Russia-North Korea relations. Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest Pyongyang is preparing to send an additional 25,000 to 30,000 troops to support Moscow’s intensified offensive in Ukraine, supplementing the roughly 11,000 soldiers allegedly deployed last year.
The growing alliance has drawn concern from the United States, with President Donald Trump recently criticizing Russian leader Vladimir Putin for undermining peace negotiations and vowing increased assistance for Ukraine.
This high-level engagement could further solidify a partnership that may not only influence the trajectory of the Ukraine war but also shift security dynamics in Asia.
Choe Son Hui previously traveled to Moscow in November 2024 for the initial round of strategic talks, where Lavrov highlighted what he described as “exceptionally close coordination” between North Korean military and intelligence agencies and their Russian counterparts.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday, signaling deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang as North Korea becomes increasingly involved in Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian foreign ministry shared an image of the two leaders on Telegram, showing their meeting in Wonsan, a coastal city in eastern North Korea. Lavrov arrived in the country on Friday for a three-day diplomatic visit.
During his trip, Lavrov also held discussions with North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. According to Russia’s foreign ministry, the talks covered key bilateral and international issues.
At a press conference following the meeting, Lavrov stated, “We exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis,” as reported by Russian state news agency TASS. “Our North Korean partners reaffirmed their strong backing for all objectives of Russia’s special military operation, as well as for the decisions of our leadership and armed forces.”
The visit follows an announcement earlier this week by Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who described Lavrov’s trip as part of the “second phase of strategic dialogue” between the two nations. North Korea’s state-run KCNA also confirmed the visit, stating Lavrov had been invited by Pyongyang’s foreign ministry.
Lavrov’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment in Russia-North Korea relations. Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest Pyongyang is preparing to send an additional 25,000 to 30,000 troops to support Moscow’s intensified offensive in Ukraine, supplementing the roughly 11,000 soldiers allegedly deployed last year.
The growing alliance has drawn concern from the United States, with President Donald Trump recently criticizing Russian leader Vladimir Putin for undermining peace negotiations and vowing increased assistance for Ukraine.
This high-level engagement could further solidify a partnership that may not only influence the trajectory of the Ukraine war but also shift security dynamics in Asia.
Choe Son Hui previously traveled to Moscow in November 2024 for the initial round of strategic talks, where Lavrov highlighted what he described as “exceptionally close coordination” between North Korean military and intelligence agencies and their Russian counterparts.
