Russia finalises defence cooperation pact with North Korea

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attend a state reception in Pyongyang, North Korea on June 19, 2024.

The defence cooperation deal signed by Russia and North Korea obligates both states to provide military assistance “without delay” in the case of an attack on the other. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin struck the deal during a visit to North Korea in June. It was ratified by Russia’s parliament and signed this weekend by the Russian president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed off on a landmark defence pact with North Korea, a deal that comes amid reports that Pyongyang has dispatched thousands of troops to fight against Ukraine.

Putin struck the deal during a visit to North Korea in June, but it had to pass through Russia’s parliament and signed by the Kremlin leader to come into force.

The Kremlin published the signed law ratifying the treaty on its website on Saturday evening.

The agreement formalises months of deepening security cooperation between the two nations, which were Communist allies throughout the Cold War.

North Korea has become one of the most vocal and important backers of Russia’s full-scale offensive on Ukraine.

Putin hailed it in June as a “breakthrough document.”

(AFP)


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