North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia aboard his private train, and he is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit comes as global attention focuses on the evolving dynamics in the region, including Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
Kim’s departure from Pyongyang for Russia was confirmed by North Korea’s state media. However, the exact location of the meeting between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin remains uncertain as Kim’s train is reportedly heading north, away from the city of Vladivostok.
A U.S. official has indicated that the discussions between the two leaders are expected to centre around an arms deal, a matter of significant importance as Russia faces a counter-offensive from Ukraine.
The Kremlin, in a statement, described the meeting as a “fully fledged visit” that would cover topics including “bilateral relations, the situation in the region, and in the global arena.” The timing of the meeting is expected to be in the “coming days,” as per the statement.
Upon arriving at the border station of Khasan on Tuesday morning, Kim Jong Un disembarked from his train and was greeted by a Russian delegation with a warm reception. The meeting included discussions with Alexander Kozlov, Russia’s minister for natural resources, during which potential joint tourism and agricultural projects for the coming year were explored.
Kim’s train, rumoured to comprise at least 20 heavily armoured carriages, has a slow travel speed, moving at approximately 37 mph (59 km/h). This method of travel is consistent with Kim’s preference for secure transportation during international visits.
The Vostochny cosmodrome, situated in Russia’s far east near the border with China, has been suggested as a possible meeting place for Kim and Putin. The cosmodrome, Russia’s first commercial space centre, is a significant project for President Putin. However, Putin has not officially confirmed this as the meeting location, responding to inquiries at the Eastern Economic Forum by saying, “When I get there, you will know.”
Kim Jong Un’s last overseas trip was to Vladivostok in 2019, where he held a summit with President Putin following the breakdown of nuclear disarmament talks with then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
