The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jongun on the 12th (local time).
The Kremlin reported that President Putin shared information with Kim regarding the upcoming summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.
President Putin is scheduled to hold a summit with President Trump in Alaska, United States, on the 15th, where they will discuss possible solutions for ending the war in Ukraine, among other topics. This summit was swiftly arranged after Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, visited Russia on the 6th.
President Putin has been informing allied leaders-including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the heads of states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)-about his meeting with Special Envoy Witkoff. He also reached out to Kim Jongun of North Korea, which has recently developed into a "blood alliance" with Russia.
According to the Kremlin, during the call, President Putin and Kim Jongun reaffirmed their commitment to further developing friendly, neighborly, and cooperative relations in all areas, as stipulated in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed between Russia and North Korea in Pyongyang on June 19 last year. The Kremlin stated, "President Putin expressed his gratitude to Kim Jongun for the support provided by North Korea, as well as the courage, heroism, and dedication shown by North Korean forces during the liberation of the border region of Kursk, which was invaded by Ukraine."
President Putin also congratulated Kim Jongun on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of North Korea's Liberation Day on the 15th, and, according to the Kremlin, Kim emphasized that North Korea remembers the role played by the Soviet Red Army in the fight against invaders.
The Kremlin added that President Putin and Kim Jongun agreed to maintain personal contact. There is growing speculation that Kim Jongun, who previously accepted President Putin's invitation to visit Russia, may make a return visit to Russia this year.
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