Mr. Kim Jong Un welcomed Mr. Putin at Pyongyang airport at dawn

The plane carrying Russian President Putin landed in the North Korean capital Pyongyang at around 3 a.m. on June 19 local time. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally went to the airport to welcome the Russian leader.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (right) welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin at an airport in Pyongyang on June 19 - Photo: REUTERS

On June 17, Tass News Agency quoted the Kremlin's announcement that Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to North Korea from June 18 to 19. The visit takes place at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Russian and international media reported that the initial schedule said that President Putin's plane was expected to arrive late on June 18. However, in reality, the plane carrying the Russian leader landed in Pyongyang at around 3 a.m. on June 19, according to Tass News Agency. AFP news agency said President Putin was accompanied by a large entourage of ministers and government advisers, including those responsible for Russia's military and arms procurement. The list includes the new Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of defense Denis Manturov... Before going to North Korea, Mr. Putin made a short visit to the city of Yakutsk in the Russian Far East on June 18. This is the first time in 24 years that Mr. Putin has visited North Korea. This trip took place in a special geopolitical context when Russia and North Korea are under pressure from sanctions from the West.

Image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waiting for Russian President Vladimir Putin at night, before the reception at the airport on June 19 - Photo: REUTERS

Russian and North Korean flags are mounted on vehicles in the convoy taking part in the welcoming ceremony for President Putin on June 19. Previous images show the North Korean capital Pyongyang decorated with portraits and Russian flags in preparation for Putin's visit to North Korea - Photo: REUTERS

The two leaders of Russia and North Korea had a warm hug at the welcome ceremony - Photo: REUTERS

The two sides had a brief exchange before leaving the airport - Photo: REUTERS

The two countries' leaders leave the aircraft parking area during the welcoming ceremony - Photo: REUTERS

According to initial information, the Russian president will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This will be the second meeting between the two in 9 months. Bilateral relations between Russia and North Korea have been maintained and developed strongly in recent times. Both are seen as trying to tighten relations under pressure from the West.

This is Mr. Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years. This event takes place amid new developments in Russia-North Korea relations in recent times. In 2023, Mr. Kim also made a rare trip abroad when he visited Russia - Photo: REUTERS

According to AP, the streets in Pyongyang were decorated to welcome Mr. Putin, with portraits of the Russian leader as well as the Russian flag.

Observers believe that this visit of Mr. Putin will strengthen the cooperative relationship between Russia and North Korea, and there will likely be a number of documents signed related to economics, technology and military - Photo: REUTERS

President Putin is also known to have sent an article to North Korean media before the trip. The Russian leader praised North Korea's steadfast support for the "special military operation" in Ukraine, and stressed the two countries' opposition to the West, while affirming that they would support North Korea.

"Very intensive" schedule

According to Tass News Agency (Russia), Mr. Yury Ushakov, foreign policy advisor to President Putin, said that the program of Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to North Korea promises to be very exciting and "intensive". "This visit officially takes place for two days, but on June 18, President Putin will fly to Pyongyang in the evening and the entire important part will take place on June 19" - Mr. Ushakov informed and said that bilateral negotiations and a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will take place on June 19. The two Russian and North Korean leaders will discuss many topics. Mr. Ushakov revealed: "These topics include many different areas of the economy , energy, transport, agriculture, inter-regional relations, security issues, cooperation on the international arena...".

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ong-kim-jong-un-don-ong-putin-tai-san-bay-binh-nhuong-luc-rang-sang-20240618201401092.htm