North Korean dictator says he strongly supports Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has expressed his unwavering support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during a meeting with a top Russian official in Pyongyang, North Korean state media said on Saturday. 

Friday’s meeting between Kim and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu followed a South Korean intelligence assessment in late February that North Korea had likely sent troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. 

Both Russian and North Korean state media said the two officials discussed various issues including Moscow’s dialogue with the Trump administration and the security situation on the Korean penisula. 

Kim and Shoigu reportedly reaffirmed the willingness of the two countries’ leaders to “unconditionally” uphold a major mutual defence treaty which pledges mutual assistance if either country faces aggression. 

According to Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency, Kim said his government would “invariably support Russia in the struggle for defending their national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests.” 

Shoigu conveyed a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who extended his greetings to Kim and vowed to give “utmost attention” to implementing agreements reached in their recent summits.  

He expressed gratitude for North Korea’s “solidarity with Russia’s position on all critical geopolitical issues, particularly on the Ukrainian issue,” according to his televised comments.  

North Korean and Russia media didn’t say whether any new agreements were reached before Shoigu departed Pyongyang later Friday.