The long-awaited meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place in the coming days, sparking much speculation and expectations about its outcome. While Russia is largely isolated on the international scene due to its assault on Ukraine, some believe that Kim Jong-un’s trip to Russia hides a potential arms deal between the two countries.
If this comes to fruition, the United States could impose new sanctions on Russia, which is desperate to obtain military equipment because of its isolation. It is therefore possible that the meeting between Kim and Putin was intended to discuss potential arms sales to Russia as part of its offensive in Ukraine.
However, the details of the meeting remain unclear. According to the Kremlin, Kim Jong-un will visit Russia at the invitation of Vladimir Putin, but no official meeting is planned as part of the annual economic forum in which the Russian president participates in Vladivostok. North Korean officials said Kim would have a meeting and discussions with Putin during his visit, but no further details were given.
Some experts believe the meeting could be a way for Russia to put pressure on South Korea, thereby preventing it from supplying weapons to Ukraine. Indeed, South Korea is a major exporter of military equipment and it is possible that Russia takes a dim view of the idea of South Korea supplying arms to Ukraine, Poland’s ally.
Regardless, this meeting between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin is a key event in the international political landscape. It could have repercussions on relations between Russia, the United States and South Korea, as well as the situation in Ukraine. The results of this meeting still remain uncertain, but it is certain that the eyes of the whole world will be on Vladivostok in the coming days.
Meanwhile, it is interesting to note that Kim Jong-un chose to travel by train rather than by plane, a decision which may be linked to his concerns about air attacks from Washington. This preference for rail once again shows the uniqueness of the North Korean leader in his choices and actions.
Let us therefore remain attentive to the developments of this meeting and the consequences it could have on the global geopolitical situation. The next few days could be decisive and could shape the future of relations between North Korea, Russia and the rest of the world.