Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea for a two-day state visit and was greeted by North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, upon arrival at the airport in Pyongyang.
Observers note that the visit will also prioritize discussions on additional arms shipments from Pyongyang, which Moscow plans to utilize in its conflict with Ukraine.
The main part of the visit begins on Wednesday, the Russian news agency Interfax reported on Wednesday.
The day would begin with a meeting between Putin and Kim on Kim Il Sung Square, Pyongyang’s urban and symbolic centre.
Long negotiations were then planned, first in one-on-one talks, then on a larger scale.
In addition to several meals together, a wreath-laying ceremony and a joint concert visit have also been announced.
The last time Putin was in North Korea was in 2000 when he was received by Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il.
He said after a long break in the relationship, the two countries have recently moved closer together, not least because of the Ukraine war.
