By Imtiaz Hussain Abro.

Putin likely to visit North Korea soon amid growing friendship.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has conveyed his desire to visit Pyongyang soon during a meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, who was in Moscow last week on an official visit, as reported by the Times of India on Sunday.

According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Putin expressed gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for extending an invitation to visit and affirmed his intention to make the visit in the near future.

Russia also expressed appreciation to North Korea for its support and solidarity in the Ukrainian conflict. KCNA emphasized that Pyongyang is prepared to welcome the Korean people’s closest friends with the utmost sincerity.

This forthcoming visit will mark Putin’s second to Pyongyang, with his first occurring in 2000 shortly after assuming the presidency.

During the discussions, both sides addressed the situation in the Korean peninsula and its vicinity. They raised concerns about the perceived threat to North Korea’s sovereignty posed by American influence in the region.

The two nations voiced serious apprehensions regarding provocative actions by the United States and its allies against North Korea’s rights. Despite this, they agreed to collaborate in addressing regional challenges.

According to KCNA, the cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow will align with the principles of the United Nations (UN) charter and other international laws.

The deepening friendship between Kim and Putin has caused concern for the US and its allies, who have criticized arms trade between the two countries, citing it as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.