(Moscow) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s train entered Russia for a summit with Vladimir Putin in the coming days, the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti said on Tuesday.
According to this source, the train is traveling in the Russian Littoral region, bordering North Korea. Images from Ria Novosti show a train with dark green carriages pulled by a Russian Railways locomotive traveling on a track.
Earlier, the South Korean Defense Ministry said it believed Kim Jong-un’s train had entered Russia.
The summit with Mr Putin is due to be held in the coming days somewhere in the Russian Far East, but Moscow has not specified the date or location of the meeting.
PHOTO ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
The main train station in Vladivostok, Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov told Russian media that the two leaders would discuss “sensitive” subjects in particular without paying attention to American “warnings”, Washington fearing that Moscow would stock up on weapons for its assault in Ukraine near North Korea, itself under sanctions because of its nuclear and missile programs.
“Of course, being neighbors, our countries also cooperate in sensitive areas which should not be the subject of public disclosures and announcements. This is perfectly normal for neighboring states,” he said.
“In building our relations with our neighbors, including North Korea, what matters to us is the interest of our two countries, not warnings from Washington,” he added.
Mr. Peskov also mentioned possible discussions on “the processes at the UN Security Council”, an apparent reference to sanctions against Pyongyang adopted in the past and voted in particular by Russia.
The Kremlin and North Korea confirmed the summit on Monday after a week of speculation.
Mr. Putin is currently in Vladivostok, in the Littoral region, for an annual economic forum. But the meeting must take place in another setting.