Putin confirms friendship with North Korea before Trump’s conversations

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed his “friendship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, before his conversations with Donald Trump on Friday.

It also comes when the BBC reports A state of “slave” facing thousands of North Korean workers sent to Russia to participate in construction projects.

Putin and Kim spoke on Tuesday, with the Russian leader praising Pyongyang’s military support for his country’s war against Ukraine.

Russia is doing this week fresh military advances In Ukraine, leading to sudden thrust near the eastern city of Dobropilia and progresses 10 km (six miles) in a short period of time.

Kim and Putin “have confirmed their commitment to the further development of relationships with friendship, conscientiousness and cooperation,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

Putin has updated North Korea’s leader to prepare the Alaska summit, sharing with him “information in the context of upcoming negotiations with US President Donald Trump,” the Kremlin said.

The official statement in North Korea did not mention this.

Repeating his more statement, Putin “praised the aid provided by (North Korea) support during the Liberation in the Territory of Kursk”, according to his office.

The Ukrainian army briefly invaded the Russian region of Kursk last year into an unexpected offensive, which showed Western allies his ability to fight against Russia, which currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s territories.

Putin and Kim spoke only days before the Russian leader expected to travel to Alaska to meet Trump, his first meeting face -to -face with an US president after a full -scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine in February 2022.

War, while causing Russia almost complete economic and diplomatic isolation from the West, there is an unprecedented cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. At least 10,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to fight side by side with their Russian colleagues, according to Ukraine and South Korea.

North Korea also provided Russia with missiles, artillery shells and workers.

With many of the men of Russia, they have either killed or bonded to battles – either fled the country – South Korean intelligence officials have told the BBC that Moscow is increasingly relying on workers in North Korea.