Russia says it will deepen ties with North Korea, doesn't confirm Putin-Kim letter exchange


  • World
  • Thursday, 31 Aug 2023

FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photo during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, April 25, 2019. Picture taken April 25, 2019. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

(Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday it intended to develop ties with North Korea, while not confirming a statement by the White House that Russian President Vladimir Putin had exchanged letters with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The White House said on Wednesday it was concerned that arms negotiations between Russia and North Korea were advancing actively, and said Putin and Kim had written to each other pledging to increase their cooperation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not answer directly when asked by reporters if the letter exchange had taken place.

"Moscow and Pyongyang maintain good, mutually respectful relations. We intend to develop them further. Contacts are being made at various levels," he said, calling North Korea "a very important neighbour".

Washington has warned before that North Korea could provide more weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine. Earlier this month the United States imposed sanctions on three entities it accused of being tied to arms deals between North Korea and Russia.

(Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Alex Richardson)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Russia says Kyiv returned 46 civilians taken to Ukraine after incursion
Trump granted permission to seek dismissal of hush money case
Analysis-Putin sends a missile message to the West: 'Back off'
Russia says hypersonic missile strike on Ukraine was a warning to 'reckless' West
US bars former Colombia army commander, cites extrajudicial killings
Italy's same-sex civil unions rise to six-year high
Ottawa denies it has evidence linking India PM Modi to violence in Canada
Blinken to attend G7 meeting in Italy, US State Department says
Poland and Slovakia to sign agreement on ammunition production in 2025
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation

Others Also Read