Russian President Vladimir Putin sees North Korean leader Kim Jong Un off following their talks after attending a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing on 3 September, 2025. Photo: ei BOBYLYOV / POOL / AFP
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would "fully support" Russia's army as a "fraternal duty", and Russian President Vladimir Putin called the two countries' ties "special", state media KCNA reported on Thursday.
Kim and Putin held a meeting on Wednesday on the sidelines of China's celebrations to mark the formal surrender of Japan in World War Two in Beijing.
The pair flanked Chinese President Xi Jinping at a massive military parade for the first such gathering of the three countries' leaders since the early days of the Cold War.
Kim's Beijing trip offered his first-ever chance to meet Putin and Xi together, as well as mingle with the more than two dozen other national leaders who attended the events.
State media photos showed Kim standing or walking with Putin and Xi side by side with a smile.
"Comrade Kim Jong Un and President Putin exchanged candid opinions on important international and regional issues," KCNA said.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin walks with China's President Xi Jinping and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025. Photo: AFP/POOLALEXANDER KAZAKOV
Putin "highly praised" North Korean soldiers fighting against Ukraine and said the two countries' relations are "special ones of trust, friendship and alliance", KCNA added.
North Korea has sent soldiers, artillery ammunition and missiles to Russia to support Moscow in its war against Ukraine.
South Korea's intelligence agency estimated this week that some 2000 North Korean soldiers sent to fight for Russia have been killed.
It believes North Korea plans to deploy another 6000 troops, with about 1000 combat soldiers already in Russia.
Kim and Putin discussed in detail the long-term plans for partnership and reaffirmed their "steadfast will" to elevate bilateral relations to a high level, according to KCNA.
Last year, the two leaders signed a mutual defence treaty, which calls for each side to come to the other's aid in case of an armed attack.
- Reuters
