Kremlin Says President Putin is Thankful for Inviting Kim Jong-un, Foreign Minister Lavrov to Visit North Korea Next Month

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted Leader Kim Jong-un's invitation to visit North Korea, fueling United States concerns that the resurgence of the Moscow-Pyongyang axis could strengthen Russia's military in Ukraine and provide Kim with sensitive missile technology.

The invitation was delivered at a summit in eastern Russia which discussed military issues, the war in Ukraine, and assistance with North Korea's satellite program.

"At the end of the meeting, Kim Jong-un politely invited President Putin to visit the DPRK at an appropriate time," said KCNA, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, reported by Reuters, September 14.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Putin "with gratitude" accepted the invitation and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would travel to Pyongyang in October.

President Putin himself, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has rarely traveled abroad.

Meanwhile, for the United States and its allies, the growing friendship between Leader Kim and President Putin is a concern, referring to Washington's accusations of North Korea providing weapons to Russia.

Both Russia and North Korea denied the claims but vowed to deepen defense cooperation.