North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's Moscow visit in 2025: Russia confirms possibility

Seoul: Russia announced on Friday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might visit Moscow next year. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned that high-level meetings between the two countries are common because North Korea is a "close neighbour."

Peskov's comments were made to reporters after they inquired about Kim's potential visit. "Of course, close neighbours constantly exchange visits at the highest levels," Peskov was quoted by the media as saying. He emphasised that Russia is strengthening its relationships with North Korea in "all areas."

This statement followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's comments about North Korean troops being sent to Russia to support its actions in Ukraine. At a recent summit in Kazan, Putin did not confirm or deny the troop deployment but stated that Russia takes its new treaty with North Korea seriously, and their cooperation is "our business."

In an interview with Rossiya-1 TV, Putin added that Moscow and Pyongyang will determine how to implement a section of their treaty that includes mutual defence agreements.

"When we need to decide something, we will certainly make a decision. Our friends in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have a corresponding position," Putin said, referring to North Korea's official name.

"But I would like to say that it will be our sovereign decision: whether we will apply something or not, where, how. Whether we need it or whether we will be engaged, let's say, only in conducting some exercises, training and sharing experience. This is entirely our own business," he added.

Agency