Kim Jong-un will make an “official visit” to Russia “in the coming days”, announces the Kremlin

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will be in “official visit” in Russia “in the next few days”, Moscow announced on Monday, September 11. He will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit, the date of which was not specified, North Korean state media said. Kim Jong Un “will soon visit the Russian Federation at the invitation of (…) Putin”the official North Korean news agency said. “Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un will meet and talk with Comrade Putin during the visit”adds the press release.

Earlier, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that Kim Jong-un’s train “seemed” having set out for Russia, the two countries sharing a short common border, in the Russian Far East, not far from Vladivostok, where Vladimir Putin arrived on Monday before participating in an annual economic forum on Tuesday. South Korean TV channel YTN reported that Seoul “expects Chairman Kim to meet President Putin of Russia around the day after tomorrow”i.e. Wednesday.

“Active talks” between Moscow and Pyongyang over arms sales

Washington said last week that Kim Jong-un wanted to meet Vladimir Putin to discuss arms sales to Moscow as part of his offensive in Ukraine. Such a delivery of weapons will not improve “the image” of North Korea and “they will pay the price in the international community”National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, expressing “active discussions” between Moscow and Pyongyang on this subject.

According to the American daily The New York TimesMoscow is seeking artillery shells and anti-tank missiles from Pyongyang, while Kim Jong-un is reportedly seeking cutting-edge technology for nuclear-powered satellites and submarines as well as food aid.