President Putin Thanks Leader Kim For North Korean Army Assistance

President Vladimir Putin with Leader Kim Jong-un. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday thanked Leader Kim Jong-un for the courage of the North Korean army in fighting Ukrainian forces.

"On your initiative, as is well known, your special forces participated in the release of the Kursk region," President Putin told leader Kim at a meeting in China.

"Your army fought bravely and heroicly," he continued.

North Korean troops helped Russia earlier this year expel Ukrainian troops from Russia's western region, Kursk.

"I want to emphasize, we will never forget the sacrifices that have been suffered by your armed forces and the families of your soldiers," said President Putin.

"On behalf of the Russian people, I would like to thank you for your participation in the joint struggle," he continued.

"I ask you to express my warmest thanks to all the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," President Putin said.

The Kremlin leader also expressed his joy to meet Leader Kim on the sidelines of the military parade "Victory Day" in Beijing, China.

"I am very happy to be able to hold a separate meeting with you on the sidelines of today's event," said President Putin, quoted from TASS.

"And I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss our bilateral relationship as a whole, among other topics," President Putin said.