In a conference held in Moscow with the participation of foreign military attaches, Russia’s First Deputy Defense Minister Valery Gerasimov declared the establishment of “active comprehensive cooperation” with North Korea. Gerasimov emphasized that Russia continues to maintain its strategic partnerships with India and China.
The announcement comes after a one-on-one summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un in Moscow in September. During the summit, Putin highlighted potential areas for military collaboration between the two countries, despite the numerous UN sanctions imposed on North Korea due to its weapons and ballistic missile programs.
President Putin’s remarks indicated that, despite existing restrictions, Russia and North Korea see opportunities for cooperation within the framework of the current rules. The summit followed a visit by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to North Korea in July, showcasing the diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
The United States and its allies have expressed concerns over the possibility of North Korea providing weapons and ammunition to Russia to replenish stocks used in the conflict with Ukraine. Washington has raised suspicions that Moscow might be aiding Pyongyang in evading UN sanctions, particularly in the areas of ballistic missile development and aeronautical engineering. The Kremlin has dismissed these allegations as “absolutely unfounded.”
