Vladimir Putin has said Russia and North Korea have ramped up ties to a new level, pledging to help each other if either nation is attacked.

A ‘breakthrough’ new partnership was announced during the Russian president’s rare visit to the reclusive state.

Thousands of North Koreans chanting ‘welcome Putin’ lined the city’s wide boulevards brandishing Russian and North Korean flags and bouquets of flowers, as Putin kicked off his first visit to North Korea in 24 years.

The pair then signed the new strategic partnership to replace previous deals signed in 1961, 2000 and 2001, according to Russian state news agency TASS. 

“The comprehensive partnership agreement signed today includes, among other things, the provision of mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement,” Putin said after the meeting.

Deep in the night, around 4 am, Kim Jong Un met with Putin. pic.twitter.com/bFjBX77n86

— Russian Market (@runews) June 18, 2024

Putin said the deal encompasses the political, trade, investment, cultural spheres, and security sphere as well, calling the pact ‘truly a breakthrough document.’

Putin said joint drills involving the United States, South Korea and Japan were hostile towards North Korea, characterizing the US policy as confrontational. 

Kim, meanwhile, called the new alliance a ‘watershed moment in the development of the bilateral relations.’

Putin was met with exuberant celebrations at a welcome ceremony with his counterpart at Kim II Sung Square in the heart of the North Korean capital, where mounted soldiers, military personnel and children holding balloons cheered against the backdrop of large portraits of each leader.

The two leaders presented their respective officials and stood together as the Russian national anthem played before riding off standing shoulder to shoulder in an open-top limousine as they smiled and waved to the crowds.

Later, Putin gave Kim an Aurus car when the two leaders exchanged gifts, according to Russian state media – the second time Putin has given Kim this car model. 

According to Putin’s Aide Yuri Ushakov, the Russian leader also presented Kim with a tea set. Ushakov did not specify what Putin received, but said they were ‘also good gifts.’

Putin landed in North Korea in the early hours of Wednesday local time, exactly 24 years to the day he was last in Pyongyang, for a visit heralding the countries’ deepening alignment in the face of shared animosity toward the West and international concerns over their growing military cooperation.

Multiple governments have accused Pyongyang of supplying arms to Moscow for its grinding war in Ukraine, a charge both countries have denied, despite significant evidence of such transfers.

In remarks ahead of talks between the two, Kim voiced his full support and solidarity with the struggles of the Russian government, military and the people, pointing specifically to Moscow’s war in Ukraine to protect its own sovereignty, safety and territorial stability.

“Situations continue to be complicated and ever-changing, but I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that we will continue to strengthen and closely engage in strategic communication with the (Russian) leadership,” Kim added.

Putin hailed the countries’ ties as based on equality and mutual respect, and said an expected new bilateral agreement would “form the basis of relations between the two states for many years to come, according to Russian state agency Tass. He also added that he hoped Kim would visit Moscow for their next meeting.

The burgeoning relationship has sparked concern in both Seoul and Washington, not only over North Korea’s arms transfers to Russia, but also the prospect of Moscow transferring its superior military technology to aid Pyongyang’s heavily sanctioned weapons program.

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