The Kremlin announced on the 23rd (local time) that North Korean troops may participate in Russia's Victory Day (Victory in Europe Day) celebrations next year.
Yonhap News
According to TASS and other sources, Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin's foreign affairs advisor, responded to a question about whether North Korea is included among the several countries sending troops to the 80th anniversary Victory Day parade on May 9 next year by saying, "I think so." Ushakov stated that Russia places great importance on the 80th anniversary Victory Day event next year, and that several foreign leaders will make sudden visits to Russia, with military contingents from some countries participating in the parade.
Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov visited North Korea on the 29th of last month and invited North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to send North Korean troops to the 80th anniversary Victory Day parade. Russia commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II on May 9 every year with Victory Day events held in Red Square.
At next year's parade, it is expected that the North Korean troops will march alongside Russian forces, emphasizing the closer North Korea-Russia military relationship strengthened by North Korea's troop deployment to Russia. Some speculate that Kim Jong-un, who is expected to visit Russia next year, may visit Moscow for Victory Day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June, elevating North Korea-Russia relations to the level of a military and political alliance. Since then, an estimated 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, but both Russia and North Korea have neither confirmed nor denied this.
When asked whether President Putin will make an overseas trip in January next year, Ushakov said, "Preparations for several events, including January, have begun, but it is too early to announce," adding, "We will welcome interesting visitors." He also revealed that several countries have offered to facilitate a meeting between President Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Both Putin and Trump have repeatedly expressed willingness to negotiate to quickly resolve the situation in Ukraine.
Regarding recent speculation in German political circles that Chancellor Olaf Scholz might visit Russia soon after expressing his intention to continue dialogue with President Putin, Ushakov added that during a phone call last month between Putin and Scholz, neither side proposed a visit by Chancellor Scholz to Russia.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
