Kim Jong Un Considers Talks with Putin Over Possible Arms Sales Amid Ukraine Crisis

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be making a significant diplomatic move, with reports suggesting that he is considering traveling to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin. The discussions are said to revolve around the potential sale of arms, which could support Moscow’s ongoing war efforts in Ukraine. This development has raised eyebrows in the international community as the two U.S. adversaries continue to strengthen their ties.

U.S. officials have disclosed that the topic of potential arms sales from North Korea to Russia was broached during a historic visit to Pyongyang in July by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. This visit marked the first time a Russian defense minister had set foot in the North Korean capital since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, stated, “We have information that Kim Jong Un expects these discussions to continue, to include leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia.” This statement comes on the heels of reports suggesting a potential meeting between Kim and Putin in Russia later this month, likely in Vladivostok.

Kim Jong Un, who rarely leaves North Korea and has not ventured abroad since before the pandemic, typically employs an armored train for overseas travel. His visits abroad are events of great significance, underscoring the potential importance of these discussions.

The United States, on the other hand, has expressed its concerns about the arms negotiations between North Korea and Russia. Watson emphasized that the U.S. is urging North Korea “to cease its arms negotiations with Russia and abide by the public commitments that Pyongyang has made to not provide or sell arms to Russia.”

These developments come in the wake of last week’s announcement by the White House that arms negotiations between North Korea and Russia were “actively advancing.” Kim and Putin had reportedly exchanged letters pledging to enhance their cooperation following Sergei Shoigu’s visit to North Korea.

John Kirby, another spokesperson for the National Security Council, indicated that artillery munitions are likely to be a focal point of these discussions, particularly as Russian forces grapple with the challenges posed by a Ukrainian counteroffensive. However, any arms deal between North Korea and Russia would violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Kirby did not divulge how the U.S. had obtained this intelligence, which had been declassified. Nonetheless, it aligns with the strategy the U.S. has adopted since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, regularly releasing declassified intelligence to discourage nations like North Korea and China from covertly supplying weapons to Moscow. Both North Korea and China have refuted these allegations.

As North Korea’s negotiations with the U.S. regarding its nuclear weapons and missile programs have been stalled since 2019, Kim Jong Un has increasingly focused on strengthening his ties with both Russia and China. This move represents a calculated diplomatic shift amid the evolving dynamics of international relations.

Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defense Minister, hinted at the possibility of joint military drills between Russia and North Korea, saying, “We are discussing it with everyone, including DPRK. Why not? They are our neighbors.”

As these diplomatic developments unfold, the international community watches with keen interest, recognizing the potential implications for regional stability and global politics.