Kim Jong Un Reaffirms North Korea’s Backing for Russia’s Ukraine War

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterated his firm support for Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine during a meeting with Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s Security Council Secretary, in Pyongyang on Friday. The talks, reported by North Korean state media on Saturday, underscored the deepening military and strategic ties between the two nations amid global tensions.

The meeting follows intelligence from South Korea in late February suggesting North Korea had deployed additional troops to Russia after suffering significant losses in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Estimates from South Korean and U.S. officials indicate that North Korea has sent between 10,000 and 12,000 soldiers to Russia since last fall, with recent reports suggesting another 1,000 to 3,000 may have been dispatched. This comes as Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire on Wednesday, brokered through discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, though details remain unclear.

Kim emphasized North Korea’s unwavering stance, stating his government would “invariably support Russia in the struggle for defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security interests,” according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Shoigu, in turn, delivered a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing gratitude for North Korea’s solidarity on key geopolitical issues, particularly Ukraine, and pledging to prioritize agreements from recent summits.

The discussions also touched on Moscow’s dialogues with the Trump administration and security concerns on the Korean Peninsula. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a mutual defense treaty signed last year, which promises aid if either nation faces aggression. While no new agreements were announced, Shoigu’s visit has fueled speculation about a potential upcoming trip by Kim to Moscow, following Putin’s invitation during his 2024 Pyongyang visit.

North Korea’s support for Russia extends beyond rhetoric, with the regime supplying vast quantities of conventional weapons. Analysts suggest Pyongyang is leveraging this alliance to secure economic and military benefits from Moscow before the conflict’s resolution. On the same day as the meeting, Kim oversaw tests of new anti-aircraft missiles, signaling North Korea’s intent to bolster its own defenses amid heightened regional tensions following the U.S.-South Korea Freedom Shield exercises, which concluded Friday.