Kim Jong Un's Foreign Minister Hosts Russian Counterpart Lavrov Amid Weapons Transfer Speculation: 'Relations Have Reached A…New Strategic Level'

The foreign ministers of Russia and North Korea convened in Pyongyang on Thursday amid Washington’s growing suspicion of weapon transfers between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin’s nations.

What Happened: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday for a two-day visit. In a reception speech, Lavrov thanked North Korea for its support of Russia’s operations in Ukraine, AP News reported.

The visit’s primary focus is whether Russia and North Korea will disclose details of their security cooperation. Observers are also anticipating news about Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s forthcoming visit to Pyongyang. This trip would reciprocate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un‘s recent visit to Russia.

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While the specifics of the meeting remain undisclosed, Lavrov stated that the visit aimed to implement the agreements reached during the Putin-Kim summit in September. The summit between Putin and Kim last month sparked speculation that North Korea might seek advanced Russian technology to modernize its nuclear arsenal. In return, North Korea could refill Russia’s depleted conventional arms inventory.

"After the historic summit between President Putin and Chairman of State Affairs Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome on September 13, we can confidently say that the relations have reached a qualitatively new strategic level," Lavrov said.

Lavrov also expressed Russia’s appreciation for North Korea’s unwavering support of its war in Ukraine.

In a dinner banquet, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui referred to the strengthening relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow as an “unbreakable comradely relationship.”

Why IT Matters: Last week, the White House alleged that North Korea had delivered over 1,000 containers of military equipment to Russia. Despite North Korea’s denial, South Korean officials claim that North Korean weapons supplied to Russia have been used in Ukraine.

The Kremlin also said there was “no proof” North Korea was sending supplies of weapons. “They report this all the time, without providing any proof,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.

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