Putin likely to visit North Korea soon amid growing friendship

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during their meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Amur region on Sept. 13. —AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his interest in visiting Pyongyang soon to North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui who was in Moscow last week on an official visit, Times of India reported on Sunday

According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Putin thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for his invitation to visit and said he would be visiting soon.

Russia also thanked North Korea for its support and solidarity in the Ukrainian conflict.

KCNA stressed Pyongyang is ready to greet the Korean people's closest friends with the greatest sincerity.

Putin first visited Pyongyang after becoming president in 2000 and this will be his second visit in more than two decades.

Both sides reportedly also discussed the situation in the Korean peninsula and nearby. They discussed how American influence in the area is threatening the sovereignty of North Korea.

Both countries expressed serious concern over provocative acts by the United States and its allies against North Korea’s rights while agreeing to cooperate in dealing with the regional situation.

According to KCNA, the cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow will be in line with the spirit of the United Nations (UN) charter and other international laws.

Kim and Putin’s growing friendship has been worrying for the US and its allies who have condemned arms trade between both the countries as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.