Russian President
Vladimir Putin has thanked North Korea for supporting his actions in Ukraine and said their countries will co-operate closely to overcome U.S.-led sanctions as he headed to Pyongyang for a
summit with Kim Jong Un.
Putin’s comments appeared in a piece in North Korean state media hours before his arrival for a two-day visit, as the countries deepen their alignment in the face of separate, intensifying confrontations with Washington.
In the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, the streets were decorated with Putin’s portraits and Russian flags. A banner hung on a building said: “We warmly welcome the President of the Russian Federation.”
Putin, making his first trip to North Korea in
24 years, said he highly appreciates its firm support of his
military action in Ukraine. He said the countries would continue to “resolutely oppose” what he described as Western ambitions “to hinder the establishment of a multipolar world order based on justice, mutual respect for sovereignty, considering each other's interests.”