A step of despair: Time analyzed what Putin’s visit to the DPRK actually meant Polina Buyanova Putin visited the DPRK for the first time in 24 years/Collage 24 Channel Ties between Russia and North Korea are stronger now than at any time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. At the same time, Putin’s visit to the DPRK looked more like a real step of despair. Putin visited the DPRK for the first time in 24 years to meet with Kim Jong-un . The first such visit took place already in 2000, at the beginning of the reign of the Russian dictator.What is the significance of Putin's visit to North Korea< /h2>
According to the publication, Putin has returned to a rogue state while he is embroiled in the deadliest land conflict in Europe since World War II, and Kim Jong-un has a nuclear arsenal.
Washington and Seoul accused the DPRK of supplying Russia with artillery, ammunition and other equipment to help the Russian occupiers overcome the shell shortage in the winter. For this, North Korea likely received food, fuel and military technology.
While North Korea and Russia deny the existence of an arms agreement, debris from North Korean-made missiles is found in Ukraine.
The question is whether Kim Jong Un's blossoming relationship with Putin risks emboldening the North Korean despot. Historically, one of the main reasons why North Korea has tried to improve relations with the US has been to negotiate sanctions relief. But if Russia offers a viable long-term solution to improve North Korea's economy, Kim has less incentive to improve relations with Washington, analysts write.
Russia's permanent seat on the UN Security Council also makes this rapprochement is especially valuable for Kim. At the same time, Moscow is taking measures to finally cancel punitive economic measures against the DPRK.
What does China have to do with it
Meanwhile, Putin’s visit to Pyongyang threatens to worsen Russia’s relations with its main political and economic partner – China. According to journalists, Putin wanted to visit Pyongyang last year, when he was on a visit to Beijing, but the Chinese side persistently explained to him that this was not worth doing.
The Chinese are probably tired or embarrassed that North Korea and Russia are getting too close,” explained Daniel Pinkston, an East Asia expert at Troy University in Seoul.
< p dir="ltr">Such a strategic partnership between Russia and the DPRK not only irritates Beijing, but in itself has no solid basis other than situational benefits for both sides.
Dictators can always break their obligations, so they are not reliable partners. Russia and North Korea are offended revisionist states, but they have no common values other than the desire to abolish the status quo, analysts conclude.
It also became known earlier that the parties signed agreement on “comprehensive strategic partnership”. Within the framework of this agreement, Russia can develop military-technical cooperation with the DPRK.
