On the sidelines of China’s lavish World War II commemoration, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un promised to provide “full support” for Russia’s military calling it a “fraternal duty”while Russian President Vladimir Putin described their bilateral relationship as “special,”.
Latest Highlights
-
Historic Summit Trio Presence: Kim, Putin, and Xi Jinping appeared together in a joint military parade marking the first such appearance of the three leaders since the Cold War. World leaders watched as the three flanked in unison on the massive Beijing stage.
-
Military Reinforcements Confirmed:
-
Kim reiterated North Korea’s commitment to deploying military support under its 2024 mutual defense treaty with Russia.
-
South Korean intelligence reports suggest approximately 2,000 North Korean troops have died in the Ukraine conflict, with more deployments expected or already underway.
-
-
Forward Planning:
-
The two leaders delved into “long‑term plans for cooperation,” vowing to elevate bilateral relations to a new level of strategic alignment.
-
Putin publicly commended North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine, expressing appreciation for their “sacrifices”.
-
-
Security Theater:
-
Reports highlight stringent security, with Kim’s aides sanitizing objects he touched underscoring tight control over his environment.
-
Why This Matters
-
Militarized Alliance Gains Momentum: The reaffirmation marks North Korea’s deepening commitment to Russia in its war against Ukraine, reinforcing the 2024 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty.
-
Propaganda Victory: The spectacle of the three leaders together served as a powerful image symbolizing unity against Western influence and showcasing China’s role in attempting to reshape global power alignments.
-
Security Region Implications: Together, the growing trilateral camaraderie shifts geopolitical currents:
-
It reinforces North Korea’s role in direct combat and logistics support for Russia.
-
It signals enhanced defense cooperation formulas that could affect stability in East Asia.
-
It may prompt responses from regional players like South Korea, Japan, and the U.S.
-
Background & Historical Context
-
Strategic Treaty: In June 2024, Kim and Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, including mutual aid provisions in the event of aggression. The agreement was ratified in late 2024 and came into force in December.
-
Material and Troop Support: Since late 2023, North Korea has delivered vast quantities of artillery ammunition, howitzers, missiles, and an estimated 12,000 soldiers including special forces to support Russia’s operations in Ukraine .
