Putin arrives in North Korea promising to fight US-led sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday for his country’s support in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and promised to work together against US-led sanctions.

Putin said he appreciated North Korea’s staunch support for the war with Ukraine and said the countries would continue to “resolutely oppose” Western attempts to “prevent the establishment of a multipolar world order based on justice, mutual respect for sovereignty, considering the interests of each person”. ”

The Russian president’s comments were published in an opinion piece in North Korean state media hours before he arrived for a visit on Tuesday. The Associated Press reported.

He is expected to stay until Wednesday, his first trip to the country in 24 years.

Last week, the Biden administration announced hundreds of new measures aimed at stifling Russia’s ability to finance its war.

North Korea is under economic sanctions due to its nuclear weapons programs by the UN Security Council.

Putin said Russia and North Korea will develop trade systems not controlled by the U.S. and will oppose sanctions, which he called “illegal and unilateral restrictions,” AP reported.

The two countries will also expand in tourism, culture and education, Putin said.

Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. His visit raises concerns as North Korea provides Russia with military equipment in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers, including materials that could boost Pyongyang’s missile and space satellite sectors.

Iran has also supplied explosive drones and the US claims China has provided technology to support Russia.

The pair met in September when Kim visited Russia.

A military alliance between Russia and North Korea could spell trouble for President Biden in this fall’s elections as he faces increasing pressure on multiple foreign policy issues.

The US has not made any significant progress with the Kim regime since Biden took office, despite multiple offers to begin negotiations.

The meeting comes less than a week after Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bilateral security agreement and days after Ukraine rejected a Russian ceasefire proposal that would have required Zelensky’s country to give up territory and abandon its goal of becoming a NATO member nation.

Zelensky then addressed the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland over the weekend, where nations gathered to discuss a proposal for the future. Russia was not included in the conference.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story