Putin thanks Kim for North Koreans fighting in Ukraine
Russian President expresses gratitude during summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for deploying troops to Ukraine, according to Russian state media.
"Let me express my gratitude to you, comrade Kim Jong Un, for your
personal contribution to the development of cooperation between our countries,
including in the field of defense cooperation," Putin said during a summit in Russia on Thursday.
Kim's presence at the meeting marks the first time he has left North Korea since taking power in 2011.
Background on Ukraine-Russia Conflict
The deployment of North Korean soldiers has been a matter of debate and speculation since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine nearly three months ago. Many countries have imposed sanctions on Russia and offered military support to Ukraine.
Pyongyang has denied direct involvement in the conflict but confirmed it sent "volunteer" troops to Russia in April, just weeks after the war began. It is estimated that thousands of North Korean soldiers have fought in the war.
The Russian army has been accused of committing war crimes and genocide in Ukraine, including the targeted destruction of civilian infrastructure and massacres of civilians. The conflict has also led to a global energy and food crisis due to the simultaneous disruption of critical export routes.
While offering his gratitude, Putin also
encouraged Kim to visit Russia "in the near future," according to the Kremlin.
At the summit, Kim and Putin also signed a joint statement vowing to strengthen their countries' strategic partnership and alliance in the face of "challenges and provocative actions" from other countries.
As Russia's war in Ukraine continues to reshape the global geopolitical landscape, the strengthening of alliances between states like North Korea and Russia may have significant implications for regional and global stability.
Meta Description: Russian President Putin expresses gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for deploying troops to fight in Ukraine. The deployment of North Korean soldiers and its implications for the Ukraine-Russia conflict and global stability are discussed.
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