Putin thanks North Korea for cooperation in Ukraine war

He made the remarks during a meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, who is visiting Russia, on Sunday (July 19).

In a video message released by the Kremlin, Putin said that Moscow deeply appreciates North Korea's support for Russia's military operation in Ukraine. He praised the role of North Korean soldiers and said that Russia will remember their contribution and show them due respect.

During the meeting, Putin also highlighted Russia's relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and mutual trust.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry had announced that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui had visited Moscow on an official visit at the invitation of his country's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have grown closer since Russia launched a full-scale military operation in Ukraine in 2022. Russia claims that North Korea has cooperated with it in various ways. Among them, the deployment of troops in the Kursk region and the provision of military equipment have also been discussed.

On the other hand, according to international analysts, North Korea may have also received economic assistance, food, energy and military-technical assistance from Russia.

During a visit by Russian officials to Pyongyang in April this year, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also reiterated his support for Russia on the Ukraine issue and pledged to stand by Moscow's position.