Ekhbary News Agency
MOSCOW —
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently hosted North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui at the Kremlin, a significant diplomatic engagement on Sunday, July 19, 2026. During their discussions, Putin conveyed his profound gratitude to Pyongyang for its steadfast support of Russia's military operations in Ukraine. This high-level meeting, for what it's worth, has fueled considerable speculation regarding a possible upcoming visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Russia, intensifying the focus on their burgeoning bilateral relations.
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Deepening Strategic Alliance
Choe's unannounced visit, preceding any major multilateral event, highlights the urgency and strategic nature of the talks. Russian state media, including Tass, reported that Choe assured Putin of Kim's unwavering commitment to the "comprehensive development" of ties with Moscow. This follows previous summits between Putin and Kim in Russia's Far East in 2019 and 2023, and an invitation extended by Putin for Kim to visit Russia again during their June 2024 Pyongyang summit, where a mutual aid pact against aggression was signed. South Korea's Unification Ministry spokesperson, Yoon Min Ho, confirmed Seoul is closely monitoring these developments, though he declined to speculate on further leader summits.
Pyongyang's Global Realignment
Pyongyang has increasingly prioritized Russia in its foreign policy, reportedly sending substantial military aid to Moscow's war effort in Ukraine. Experts suggest these transfers could be in exchange for crucial economic assistance and technology, potentially bolstering North Korea's military capabilities. Concurrently, Kim Jong Un actively seeks stronger alliances with China, having hosted President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang earlier this year. This strategic pivot reflects North Korea's embrace of a "new Cold War" posture, positioning itself as part of a united front against Washington. Kim has, in fact, suspended meaningful dialogue with the United States and South Korea since 2019, leveraging the Ukraine conflict to advance his nuclear and missile programs while demanding Washington drop denuclearization as a precondition for talks.
