Putin taunts West as Kremlin confirms North Korean visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to North Korea today, the Kremlin has confirmed, after months of speculation over the much-hyped visit.

After Kim Jong Un’s big green bulletproof train trundled around Russia’s Far East last year, the North Korean leader invited Putin to visit him. That invitation was duly accepted.

Over the past week sources had hinted that the visit was imminent, and satellite images had also spied apparent preparations under way in North Korea.

With the “when” answered, next comes the clamouring for any news of deals done, any consequences for the war in Ukraine, as well as any eye-popping images of the pomp and ceremony that will surely accompany the two leaders’ visit.

The Kremlin has described the event as a “friendly state visit” with Russian media reporting Putin and Kim may sign a partnership agreement, including on security issues, and give joint statements to the press.

The visit is Putin’s second time in North Korea ; the first being in 2000 at the start of his Presidential career, when Kim’s father, Kim Jong-Il, was still Supreme Leader.

But beyond that, this is a relationship that (though not at the levels enjoyed during the Soviet Union) has now gone from mutual pleasantries to mutual benefits, and it has the West worried.

The Kremlin has said there is scope for “very deep relations” between Russia and North Korea, and although it said this shouldn’t concern anyone, it recommended those thinking of challenging the burgeoning ties to think again.

There has been a lot of speculation about what exactly the two sides want from one another. And it seems to boil down to security of supplies.

Russia is likely seeking ammunition, construction workers, even volunteers to go to the front line in Ukraine, says political scientist and Putin ally, Sergei Markov.

In reply, Pyongyang could get Russian produce, as well as technological help for military goals, including its long-range missile programme ultimately to be within striking distance of the US, Mr Markov adds