Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, commended North Korea for supporting his nation’s military activities in Ukraine and vowed Moscow’s “complete support and solidarity” for Kim Jong Un.
Lavrov came to Pyongyang on Wednesday for talks expected to prepare the ground for a trip by President Vladimir Putin, who has increased cooperation with North Korea due to its political isolation.
On Wednesday, Lavrov stated that Moscow greatly respected Pyongyang’s “unwavering and principled support” for Russia in the Ukraine war, which it refers to as a “special military operation” when speaking at a banquet held by the North.
According to the speech transcript on his ministry’s website, Lavrov added, “Likewise, the Russian Federation extends its full support and solidarity with the aspirations of the DPRK.” The North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is abbreviated as DPRK.
According to Russia’s state-run RIA news agency, Lavrov subsequently told reporters that heightened military actions by the United States and its allies Japan and South Korea were cause for concern after discussions with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui.
Thursday’s anti-naval mine practice off the coast of South Korea included the fleets of the United States, South Korea, Canada, Belgium, New Zealand, and the Philippines, according to the South Korean defense ministry.
In his remarks, Lavrov said Russia, China, and North Korea were all pursuing a strategy to reduce regional tensions.
Lavrov’s visit, according to North Korean state media, would be a “significant occasion” in further solidifying ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. According to pictures supplied by the Russian foreign ministry, Lavrov was welcomed upon arrival by individuals carrying flowers and the flags of the two nations.
MULTIPLIER CONTACTS
Following North Korean leader Kim’s unusual trip to Russia in which he invited Putin to Pyongyang and discussed military cooperation, Lavrov’s two-day trip to Russia arrived one month later.
According to Lavrov, this week’s visit will provide a “valuable opportunity” to discuss and lay out specific procedures for putting the agreements struck between the two presidents into action.
According to the Russian TASS news agency, Lavrov may also inform North Korean officials of the outcomes of Putin’s visit to China this past week. According to a U.S. think tank, satellite photographs indicated ongoing activity near a North Korean port close to Russia on Tuesday, indicating at least six journeys by sea between the two nations since late August.
According to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the transports between the port of Rajin and Russia’s Dunai may be connected to the passage of North Korean weapons to Russia.
According to CSIS, a North Korean cargo-passenger boat that has previously transported tourists from Japan or South Korea was also spotted this month in the same port’s drydock, most likely for maintenance.
It added it was unclear whether the ship will be used to increase commerce between Russia and North Korea. The White House said last week that North Korea has recently sent weaponry to Russia, which it described as a worrying move.
The Western accusations said to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, are not supported by any evidence.
Concerned about growing communications between Russia and the North, South Korea, and the United States have escalated military exercises with Japan in response to North Korea’s threat.
A representative for the South Korean foreign ministry stated during a briefing on Thursday that South Korea is urging Russia to abide by United Nations resolutions in its dealings with North Korea.
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