Putin, Kim Jong-un meeting at Cosmodrome, Russian Far East, on Wed.
When asked if the two leaders Kim Jong-un and Putin would discuss receiving supplies from the North to replenish Moscow depleted stock of weaponry and ammunition, Putin responded that they would address “all issues.” Defense cooperation, according to Washington and its allies, is a high agenda topic for the summit.
“I’m glad to see you,” Putin said as he shook Kim hand at the Vostochny Cosmo drome, a new space launch site in Russia Far East’s Amur region. “This is our brand-new Cosmo drome.” Kim thanked Putin for the invitation and the kind reception he received through an interpreter.
The conference between the leaders of the two countries, which have become increasingly isolated on the world stage, is being keenly monitored by Washington and its allies, who think they may agree to trade weaponry and defense technology.
Officials in the United States and South Korea have expressed concern that Kim will transfer weapons and ammunition to Russia, which has depleted massive stores in more than 18 months of fighting in Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied such plans.
The choice of meeting at the Vostochny Cosmo drome, a symbol of Russia’s ambitions as a space power, was remarkable, given North Korea failure to launch reconnaissance satellites twice in the last four months.
“That’s why we came here,” Putin said when reporters asked if Russia would assist Kim with building satellites.
Kim has made the launch of a spy satellite a major goal as he pushes his nuclear-armed country to accelerate the development of ballistic missiles, drones, and attack submarines.
