Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, revealed a “surprise meeting” with Ri Ryong, the Secretary of the Central Committee of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, during his visit to Russia on the 27th (local time). There is speculation that they may have shared and discussed the ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and the United States concerning Ukraine.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, stated to TASS news agency that President Putin met with Secretary Ri Ryong at the Kremlin. According to TASS, the meeting took place at the Kremlin. Secretary Ri is visiting Russia from the 25th at the invitation of United Russia, a ruling political party in Russia.
The Kremlin posted a video on its Telegram channel showing President Putin welcoming Secretary Ri, and also released a commemorative photo on its official website. President Putin shook hands with Secretary Ri with a smile and took a commemorative photo.
Though the content of the conversation between President Putin and Secretary Ri was not disclosed, it is possible that they discussed cooperative measures regarding the Ukraine war and ceasefire negotiations with the United States. While Russia and North Korea have not publicly stated their positions, it is reported that 11,000 North Korean troops were dispatched to Russia last October. These troops underwent training in Vladivostok and were sent to the Kursk frontline in western Russia. It is reported that North Korea suffered around 4,000 casualties in battles with Ukraine.
Moreover, it is known that North Korea sent over 1,000 troops to Russia in January and February of this year to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.