By meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Russia’s Far East spaceport, President Vladimir Putin signaled his readiness to share rocket technology with Pyongyang
But the summit’s location — Russia’s Far East spaceport — offered a big clue., Putin has signaled his readiness to share Russian rocket and space technology with Pyongyang in exchange for access to North Korea’s mammoth arms stockpiles for the war in Ukraine.The move underscored Russia’s estrangement on the world stage and the shrinking circle of friends that Moscow can rely on, thanks to the 18-month-old invasion.
Western officials saw the summit with North Korea as an effort by Putin to secure a potential arms bonanza for his military. “For Russia, it’s simply that the ends justify the means,” said James Nixey, director of the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House, a London-based think-tank. “It’s perfectly comfortable with alliances of any shape form on nature as long as they serve perceived Russian national interests.”
Yang Uk, a security expert at South Korea’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies, noted that in addition to Soviet-designed armaments, North Korea also could share some of its latest military equipment. Putin mentioned the Soviet support for Pyongyang in the Korean War, while Kim referred to Russia’s campaign in Ukraine as a “just fight against hegemonic forces to defend its sovereign rights, security and interests.”
While Russia has previously avoided sharing sensitive know-how with Pyongyang, analysts point out that Moscow could now facilitate such transfers as a way of hurting the U.S. and its allies. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need to respect those sanctions, and Washington warned it is ready to impose new restrictions on Russia and North Korea if they violate the Security Council’s resolutions.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kim Jong Un invites Putin to North Korea after Russia summitPutin accepted the invitation, according to North Korean state news agency KCNA, though there was no immediate confirmation from the Kremlin.
Read more »
North Korea's Kim Jong Un checks out Putin's ride at Russia summitRussian President Vladimir Putin invited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to check out his Russian-made limousine on Wednesday ahead of their summit, ceding the spacious back seat to his guest.
Read more »
Russia's Putin accepts Kim's invitation to visit North KoreaNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un expresses his willingness to foster stable, future-oriented relations 'for the next 100 years' with Russia and invites Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang.
Read more »
Russia-North Korea summit: 'Comrades' Putin and Kim send rivals a warningWhatever practical cooperation emerges from this week's summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, their deepening relationship is aimed at sending their rivals a warning, analysts said.
Read more »
Putin says Russia to help North Korea build satellitesPresident Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia would help North Korea build satellites and, when asked if he and Kim Jong Un would talk about weapons supplies, replied that the two leaders would discuss all issues.
Read more »
Vladimir Putin greets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in eastern Russia for planned meetingRussian President Vladimir Putin greeted North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny cosmodrome in Russia's eastern Amur region early Wednesday for a rare, planned meeting.
Read more »