Us Says North Korea Set For Arms Talk With Russia

The United States has stated that there will be a rare meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This anticipated summit, if realized, is likely to delve into discussions regarding the supply of arms for Moscow's ongoing military engagement in Ukraine. As Ukraine continues its closely watched counteroffensive in the southern and eastern regions, President Putin labeled the efforts as a failure on Monday, underscoring Moscow's interest in securing additional military support to reinforce its forces. On Tuesday, the Kremlin responded to the reports by stating its inability to confirm the Putin-Kim summit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked, "We have nothing to say on this." Adrienne Watson, the spokeswoman for the White House's National Security Council (NSC), commented on the ongoing arms negotiations between Russia and North Korea, revealing that "arms negotiations between Russia and the DPRK are actively advancing." She further stated, "We have information that Kim Jong Un expects these discussions to continue, to include leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia." The United States had previously issued a warning regarding secret talks between Russia and North Korea for the acquisition of various munitions and supplies for Russia's war effort. Reports suggest that Kim Jong Un is likely to travel to Vladivostok later this month, possibly by armored train, to meet with President Putin. Vladivostok is situated on Russia's Pacific coast, not far from North Korea, and is set to host the Eastern Economic Forum from September 10–13. According to sources, Putin is seeking artillery shells and antitank missiles from North Korea, while Kim is reportedly interested in acquiring advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines, as well as food aid for his impoverished nation. An official from Seoul's unification ministry emphasized that any cooperation between North Korea and neighboring countries should adhere to international norms and promote peace. The United States recently alleged that North Korea supplied infantry rockets and missiles to Russia in 2022 for use by the privately controlled Wagner military group. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea in July to explore additional munitions procurement for the ongoing war. Experts suggest that a summit between North Korea and Russia could be a means for both nations to break away from diplomatic isolation and send a message to Washington, which has been enhancing defense cooperation with South Korea and Japan. At the United Nations, the United States, Britain, South Korea, and Japan raised concerns that increased cooperation between Russia and North Korea would violate Security Council resolutions prohibiting arms deals with Pyongyang, resolutions that Russia itself had endorsed. Reports also indicated that another group of Russian officials held follow-up talks with North Korea after Shoigu's visit. Despite sanctions and international restrictions, some experts believe that Russia and North Korea may continue to engage in weapons trading, especially given the current geopolitical landscape marked by the war in Ukraine and heightened U.S.-China strategic competition. The United States recently imposed sanctions on three entities linked to facilitating arms deals between North Korea and Russia, as part of its efforts to tighten restrictions on support for Moscow's Ukraine war. While Ukraine has claimed some progress in its counteroffensive, President Putin reiterated on Monday that the attempt to regain territory lost since Russia's February 2022 invasion has been unsuccessful. Amidst these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a visit to the war-torn eastern Donetsk region, posting a video of himself meeting with soldiers on the frontline, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine.