Putin signs a mutual defense agreement with North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the agreement signed between Russia and North Korea includes a clause stipulating mutual assistance in the event of aggression by either side.

Putin said, “the comprehensive partnership treaty we signed today includes, among other things, the obligation to provide mutual assistance in the event of an aggressive attack by any of the parties”.

Putin referred to statements by the United States and NATO countries on the supply of advanced long-range weapons, F-16 fighter jets and other war equipment for use against Russia.

“These aren’t just statements, they are actually happening, and this is a flagrant violation of the international obligations of Western countries,” Putin said.

Putin also stressed the possibility of strengthening military-technical cooperation with North Korea under the comprehensive agreement signed, which he described as an agreement on strategic cooperation.

The remarks came after Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a “strategic partnership agreement” on Wednesday in Pyongyang.

Western countries have expressed concerns about deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, especially with reports that North Korea is supplying the Russian military with munitions and missiles as part of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

During the summit with the North Korean leader, Putin declared that a new founding document to strengthen relations between Moscow and Pyongyang was ready and invited Kim to visit Moscow, noting that this document will consolidate the foundations of relations between the two countries in the long term.

“Today a founding document that will lay the foundations of our long-term relations is ready,” Putin said, stressing that Moscow and Pyongyang have taken great steps towards strengthening bilateral ties.

During his talks with the North Korean leader, the Russian president stressed that cooperation between the two countries is based on the principles of equality and mutual respect for common interests.

He expressed great happiness with Kim’s response to his invitation and the visit to North Korea, noting the close relations and strong friendship that have bound the two countries over many decades.