VLADIMIR Putin arrived in North Korea for a two-day summit to meet his “Axis of Evil” ally, Kim Jong-un.
Tyrants Kim, 40, and Putin, 71, are expected to reinforce their strong relationship after promising to forge a “New World Order” as part of the Russian leader’s first visit to the dictatorial state in 24 years.
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The Kremlin confirmed that the Russian despot landed in the country’s capital, Pyongyang, to begin his two-day visit.
Kim Jong Un arrived at the airport to greet Putin, reports RIA Novosti.
It is understood that a formal bilateral meeting between the two dictators will take place tomorrow morning.
Both tyrants are expected to show a united front against the West during the two-day meeting.
In a presidential decree issued by the Kremlin yesterday, Putin said Russia could sign a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” with North Korea.
Earlier today, Putin was seen flying in Russia’s far east before taking a three-hour flight across the border later.
He was seen exiting his prestigious Il-96 plane in Yakutsk – the coldest city on the planet – flanked by his large security team.
At least one fighter jet – believed to be a Sukhoi Su-30 – escorted Putin’s aircraft on its way to North Korea, according to the BBC.
It was also the first time that the Russian president was accompanied by military aircraft within Russian airspace.
Ahead of the planned visit, Putin pledged his support for North Korea in a letter published by state media.
He thanked the country for “firmly supporting” his brutal and illegal war in Ukraine.
Putin also pledged to help defend North Korea’s interests despite what he called “U.S. pressure, blackmail and military threats.”
Before he announced it, both countries would consider developing trade and payments systems away from the West.
In the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, huge banners were spread across the city displaying Putin’s mischievous smile.
Some of the posters were hung on lampposts with the words “We warmly welcome President Putin!” stuck in them along with Russian flags.
Putin arrived in North Korea flanked by several of his top Kremlin officials.
These included Deputy Prime Minister Denis Mantrurov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to his foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.
Ushakov also announced that several highly significant documents will be signed during the visit.
North Korea has responded to Putin’s generosity in recent months by agreeing to deepen strategic and tactical cooperation with Russia.
The two tyrant-led nations seek to form a united front against the United States, it was said.
In January, Kim sent delegates to Moscow, following the North Korean leader’s trip there in September last year.
He is trying to regain his footing as he navigates a deepening nuclear standoff with Washington, Seoul and Tokyo.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years as Kim continues to use Russia’s frightening invasion of Ukraine as a distraction to accelerate his own weapons tests.
Kim also actively participated in North Korean military demonstrations.
The US and its Western allies have accused North Korea of helping Vlad by providing him Russia with weapons, including ballistic missiles, for use in Ukraine.
North Korea described the allegations as “absurd”.
Both countries are under a series of UN sanctions – Pyongyang since 2006 due to its banned nuclear and ballistic missile programs and Moscow due to its invasion of Ukraine.
North Korea said Putin’s visit showed that bilateral ties “are growing stronger every day,” the Korean Central News Agency reported.
And “it would give new vitality to the development of good neighborly cooperation relations between the two countries”, he added.
But the US expressed “concerns” about the trip due to the security implications for South Korea – as well as Ukraine.
North and South Korea have technically remained at war since the 1950-53 conflict – and the border that divides them is one of the most heavily fortified in the world.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said: “We know that North Korean ballistic missiles are still being used to hit Ukrainian targets (and) there may be some reciprocity here that could affect security on the Korean Peninsula. ”.
Highlighting growing security concerns, South Korea said its troops fired at Northern soldiers who briefly crossed the border on Tuesday before retreating.
The South’s military said it believed soldiers crossed accidentally while fortifying the border – but said some were injured after detonating landmines.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Putin’s trip showed how “dependent” he was on authoritarian leaders.
“Your closest friends and greatest supporters of the Russian war effort – war of aggression – (are) North Korea, Will and China,” he said.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged the West to combat “the lonely relationship” between Putin and Kim by increasing arms supplies to Kiev.
Kuleba said: “The best way to respond to this is to continue to strengthen the diplomatic coalition for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and deliver more patriots and ammunition to Ukraine.”
Both leads live eerily similar lives, from awkward photo shoots to “short man syndrome.”
In February, Putin reportedly gifted Kim a £350,000 limousine as thanks for providing North Korean weapons to help with the war.
Putin’s elaborate gift was considered a violation of Moscow-backed United Nations Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the decision to gift the engine was made after Kim liked Putin’s Aurus Senat limousine.
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