Shoygu met with Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang

Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergei Shoigu met in Pyongyang with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Russian media reported that during a meeting with Kim, the secretary of the Russian Security Council had submitted a message from President Vladimir Putin, who promised to pay « the most attention » to the implementation of the agreements reached during their latest Summit in Pyongyang last year.

Shoygu confirmed Moscow's « unreserved readiness » to adhere to a strategic cooperation agreement, which provides for mutual support if one side is subjected to aggression.

Shoygu and Kim's conversation lasted more than two hours and referred to various issues, including the war in Ukraine, Moscow's dialogue with the Donald Trump administration and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. So far, Russian media have not reported whether Shoygu and Kim have reached any agreements.

A Russian politician visited North Korea after Kiev and Moscow expressed their own consent on a limited ceasefire on Wednesday. The stance was expressed after Trump spoke with the leaders of the two warring sides, though it is still unclear when the limited ceasefire will take effect and what its range will be.

North Korea delivers a huge amount of conventional weapons to Moscow, and last fall also sent between 10,000 and 12,000 troops to Russia, according to US, South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence agencies. At the end of February, South Korean intelligence said North Korea appeared to have sent additional troops to Russia. According to some South Korean media, it is between 1,000 and 3,000 people.

South Korea, the United States and other countries suspect North Korea is gaining economic and military assistance from Russia in exchange for weapons and troops. Many experts predict that Pyongyang can boost its support for Moscow to get as many benefits as possible before the end of the war.

According to some observers, Shoygu's visit may be linked to Kim's possible visit to Russia. In June last year, Putin visited Pyongyang and signed a comprehensive bilateral defense agreement with Kim. The head of the Russian state then invited the North Korean leader to Moscow.

The day before Shoygu's arrival in Pyongyang, Kim was watching tests on new anti -aircraft missiles. This is the sixth rehearsal of North Korea this year. The same day, the United States and South Korea ended their annual military exercises « The Freedom Shield », which North Korea sees as an invasion rehearsal.