North Korea’s Kim Jong-un meets Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in southeast Russia, September 13, 2023
As Vladimir Putin hosted North Korea’s Kim Jong-un in southeast Russia on Wednesday morning, I spoke with India’s WION News about the visit, the photo opportunity, and the possible military and political significance.
Vladimir Putin is isolated. Not only by the West — countries like India, China, and Saudi Arabia are distancing themselves from the invasion of Ukraine.
So he’s gotta turn to someone. It just happens to be Kim.
Watch from 3:47:
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold talks
Putin assures to build satellites for North Korea, Kim supports ‘sacred battle’ with West@SaroyaHem joined by @ScottLucas_EA, Professor, University College Dublin, for insights pic.twitter.com/EChCOziSWM
— WION (@WIONews) September 13, 2023
Humanitarian aid given to North Korea is not a violation of the UN resolutions. And if Ukraine’s counter-offensive has failed, how can Russia be in trouble in Ukraine?
The India-Russia relationship is an old one, and I think both countries have reached an understanding on many regional issues that concern India. Russia’s close relations with China does not upset India. So why would a decades old ‘friendship’ between Russia and North Korea make them nervous?
And Russia and North Korea are not as isolated as it seems. Delegates from Laos and Myanmar were also present when the two leaders met in Vladivostok. And we must not forget Russia-Vietnam relations. Vietnam’s relationship with Russia is as strong as it has ever been. Shortly after President Biden’s visit to Vietnam ended, it was reported that the Vietnamese government negotiated a massive arms deal with Russia. They made no effort to hide it. The Vietnamese have a long memory. They know where their real friends are — they’re in Moscow, not in Washington and Beijing.