Vladimir Putin is planning to cosy up to North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-un in a defiant taunt to the West.
For months, watchers of the Hermit Kingdom have known that the pair had been planning to meet since Kim offered Putin an invitation following his visit to Russia's Far East on his bulletproof train last year. Putin accepted, and it's thought he will travel to the country in a matter of days. Sources in South Korea believe it could be as soon as Tuesday.
The reason for such speculation is that it would be the first time the Russian leader had visited Pyongyang to meet Kim. He did travel to North Korea in 2000 as his presidential career began, but he was met by Kim Jong Il - the current Kim's father.
The historic allies are not as close as they were during the Soviet Union, but the West is worried as their relationship appears to be merging from mutual pleasantries to mutual benefits.
Kim inspecting a major operational base in North Korea (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)According to the Kremlin, there is the potential for "very deep relations" between the two countries. Russia said that the growing ties should not be of concern to the rest of the world, but did warn those thinking of preventing it to reconsider their course.
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Though it's unknown what each side wants from the other, experts believe it involves the security of supplies, reports the BBC.
While Russia needs workers, ammunition, or even volunteers for the frontlines in Ukraine, Pyongyang needs produce and technological help for its military plots. This could include its long-range missile programme, which would give it the capacity to strike the US, according to Putin ally and political scientist, Sergei Markov. Already, the pariah state has shipped almost five million ammunition shells to Russia, according to a recent Bloomberg report citing South Korean officials.
Another consideration for the burgeoning relations is a genuine friendship between the two tyrants. Earlier this year, Putin even gifted Kim a luxury Russian limo, and in a recent message, Kim said North Korea is an "invincible comrade-in-arms" with Russia.
.On Wednesday, Kim sent Putin a congratulatory message commemorating Russia's National Day, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.
"Thanks to the significant meeting between us at the Vostochney Spaceport in September last year, (North Korea)-Russia friendly and cooperative relations developed into an unbreakable relationship of comrades-in-arms," Kim said in the message.
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