Putin and North Korean Foreign Minister Strengthen Diplomatic Ties in Moscow

On July 19, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui at the Kremlin in Moscow. The meeting highlighted the strengthening ties between the two nations, as reported by Russian state media. Putin expressed his thanks to North Korea for its support of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.

Choe’s visit to Russia appears to lack an immediate occasion like a state anniversary or diplomatic event, leading to speculation about potential arrangements for a visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Choe traveled to Russia at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, but the precise goals of her visit remain undisclosed.

Yoon Min Ho, spokesperson for South Korea’s Unification Ministry, stated that Seoul is closely observing the interactions between Moscow and Pyongyang. However, he did not confirm whether discussions of a new summit between the nations’ leaders are underway. Russia’s Tass news agency reported that during the meeting, Putin praised bilateral relations and reaffirmed his gratitude for North Korea’s backing in Ukraine.

Choe relayed that Kim Jong Un is committed to the comprehensive development of Russian-North Korean relations. Kim previously visited Russia for summits with Putin in 2019 and 2023. Following their meeting in Pyongyang in June 2024, Putin invited Kim to Russia again, solidifying a strategic partnership that promises mutual assistance against aggression.

In recent years, Kim has prioritized strengthening relations with Russia, contributing troops and weapons in support of the conflict in Ukraine. Experts suggest that North Korea’s involvement might yield economic aid and technology transfers, which could help enhance its military capabilities. Kim has also forged closer ties with China, inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping to a summit in Pyongyang, signaling his readiness to join a united front against the U.S.

Choe’s journey to Moscow followed high-level exchanges between North Korea and China. North Korea’s Cabinet Premier Pak Thae Song, a key economic figure, met with President Xi in Beijing. Meanwhile, Wang Huning of China’s Politburo Standing Committee visited Kim in Pyongyang. Kim Jong Un has paused negotiations with the U.S. and South Korea since the failure of talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019. Russia’s conflict in Ukraine has offered Kim a distraction to further develop his nuclear arsenal, urging the U.S. to reconsider its stance on disarmament talks.