North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to allegedly discuss advancing arms negotiations to support Moscow's war against Ukraine.
Reports suggest Kim would first meet with Putin in Russia, but the exact locations are unclear. The potential contact between the two world leaders comes after the White House said that it acquired new information that arms negotiations between North Korea and Russia are "actively advancing."
Kim-Putin Meeting
On Wednesday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Russia's defense minister had recently traveled to North Korea. He said it was meant to "convince Pyongyang to sell artillery ammunition" to Russia. Kirby noted that after the visit, the two countries' leaders exchanged letters where they pledged to bolster bilateral cooperation.
The spokesman added that intelligence obtained by the United States indicated that following the visit to North Korea by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, several more Russian officials traveled to the Asian nation for further talks about a potential arms deal between North Korea and Russia, as per Newsbreak.
Kirby also said that the United States was urging the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to stop its arms negotiations with Russia. He argued that they should abide by the public commitments that Pyongyang has made to not provide or sell arms to Moscow.
Additionally, the US official warned that the White House will take direct action, including imposing sanctions, against any individual or entity that works to facilitate the supply of arms between North Korea and Russia.
Potential deals between the two nations could include "significant quantities and multiple types" of munitions from North Korea. These are those that Russia would utilize in its war against Ukraine. Kirby warned that any weapons deal between the two countries would violate numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Providing Arms to Russia
The situation comes as Russia has received support from Iran and North Korea amid its ongoing war with Ukraine. According to CNN, the former sent drones and artillery late last year, while the latter delivered infantry rockets.
Furthermore, Chinese state-owned defense companies have sent technology and equipment to Russia, but US officials said they have seen no signs that Beijing was providing weapons or leather military aid to Moscow.
US President Joe Biden's administration has also routinely declassified intelligence regarding the support Russia is receiving or planning to receive. This is to deter countries from supporting Moscow's war effort against Ukraine.
In exchange for North Korea supplying weapons to Russia, Kim wants Moscow to provide Pyongyang with advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines. He was also seeking food aid for his impoverished nation.
Amid the talks of a meeting between Kim and Putin, they are both set to attend the Eastern Economic Forum, which is set to run from Sept. 10 to Sept. 13. Additionally, the North Korean leader will visit Pier 33, which is where naval ships from Russia's Pacific fleet dock, said the New York Times.
