News - Middle East: Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun a two-day state visit to North Korea, to boost defense, security and economic ties between the two nations heavily sanctioned by the United States. 

President Putin landed at the Pyongyang airport early on Wednesday, where he was greeted by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally. This was the Russian president's first visit since 2000.

Russian TV showed the North Korean leader greeting Putin on a red carpet at Pyongyang's airport, with the pair shaking hands and embracing before a motorcade took Putin along streets lined with Russian flags.

The Kremlin confirmed that the two sides are set to sign a strategic partnership treaty.

Ahead of Putin's trip, North Korean media outlets published an article written by the Russian president, in which he vowed to support the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea against what he called the US pressure campaign and blackmails.

"We highly appreciate that the DPRK (North Korea) is firmly supporting the special military operations of Russia being conducted in Ukraine," Putin wrote.

Russia and the North are "now actively developing the many-sided partnership," Putin added.

The Russian president praised North Korea for "defending their interests very effectively despite the US economic pressure, provocation, blackmail and military threats that have lasted for decades."

He also praised Moscow and Pyongyang for "maintaining the common line and stand at the UN."

Putin also wrote that the two nations would join forces to block the West's efforts in hindering the establishment of a multi-polar world order.

North Korea said the visit showed bilateral ties "are getting stronger day by day," the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

This is Putin's first visit to the country in 24 years. Back in September 2023, DPRK leader Kim traveled to Russia and discussed military cooperation between the two countries.

Source: Press TV