Moscow and Pyongyang reaffirm military ties as Washington eyes potential role for Russia in shaping future US–North Korea diplomacy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed the “bravery” and “heroism” of North Korean troops in what Moscow describes as the liberation of Russia’s western Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, according to North Korean state media.
In a phone call with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Putin “highly appreciated” Pyongyang’s military support and the “self-sacrificing spirit” of its soldiers, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Wednesday. Kim, in turn, expressed “heartfelt thanks” and pledged North Korea’s unwavering commitment to the mutual defence treaty signed by the two nations last year. He also vowed full support for any future measures taken by the Russian leadership.
“The heads of state… agreed to make closer contact in the future,” the KCNA stated, underscoring a deepening partnership that has drawn sharp scrutiny from the West.
The conversation comes just days before Putin is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Alaska to discuss prospects for ending the war in Ukraine. Analysts say the call could signal a potential, albeit indirect, role for Russia in shaping US–North Korea relations—similar to South Korea’s diplomatic function in 2018.
“There are still many unknowns, but the call suggests Russia could help create an opening for US–DPRK talks,” said Jenny Town, director of the Korea program at the Stimson Center in Washington, DC.
North Korea’s military commitment to Moscow has grown steadily. According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Pyongyang has already sent more than 10,000 troops to Ukraine and is preparing to dispatch thousands more. In April, Putin declared that Kursk had been fully retaken, a claim disputed by Kyiv.
Trump, who meets Putin on Friday, has hinted that he will quickly assess whether a peace deal is feasible, suggesting any agreement might involve territorial adjustments between Russia and Ukraine.
As Moscow and Pyongyang tighten their military and political bonds, Washington will be watching closely—both for shifts in the war in Ukraine and for any ripple effects on US–North Korea diplomacy.