Putin Meets North Korea's Kim Jong Un In First Visit To Capital In Over Two Decades

Putin Meets North Korea's Kim Jong Un In First Visit To Capital In Over Two Decades

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Russian President Vladimir Putin was warmly welcomed Wednesday by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on his first visit to the capital Pyongyang in over two decades, North Korean state media reported.

Putin's arrival at Pyongyang's airport early Wednesday morning marked a historic visit aimed at strengthening the ties between the two nations who both face deep isolation from the West. 

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the two leaders "engaged in a candid exchange of thoughts" and agreed to boost bilateral cooperation. Kim personally greeted Putin with a handshake, embrace and conversation after he descended from his plane.

"Passing through charmingly lit streets of Pyongyang at night, the top leaders exchanged their pent-up inmost thoughts and opened their minds to more surely develop the DPRK-Russia relations," KCNA reported, using the abbreviation for North Korea's official name.

Putin's visit comes 24 years after his predecessor's trip to Pyongyang and could transform Russia-North Korea relations at a time when both are coping with tense ties with the U.S. and its allies.  

North Korea's state media described the alliance as an "engine for accelerating the construction of a new multi-polar world," reflecting the strength of the two nations' unity against Western influence.

Russia has increasingly leveraged its ties with Pyongyang to counter U.S. interests, while heavily sanctioned North Korea gains political backing and economic promises from Moscow.

However, the U.S. and allies have accused North Korea of supplying weapons and ammunition to Russia for its war in Ukraine, which both sides deny. There are also concerns Russia could assist North Korea's nuclear and missile programs banned by the UN.