Kim Jong-un’s train enters Russia

The meeting may focus on the arms deal

The North Korean leader, whose trips abroad are rare, has been accompanied by his chief of defense, his foreign minister and senior military officials, including those in charge of weapons production and defense, aerospace technology, official media reported.

According to experts, the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un may focus on the arms deal, as the Russian president seeks to buy shells and anti-tank missiles from North Korea.

For its part, Pyongyang is reportedly seeking advanced technology for nuclear-powered satellites and submarines, as well as food aid. Washington derided the meeting, seeing it as a sign that Vladimir Putin was “begging” for help in carrying out his operations in Ukraine.

A “Friendly Diplomatic Threat”

For Andrei Lankov, a North Korea expert at Kookmin University in Seoul, the Putin-Kim summit is part of Moscow’s “friendly diplomatic threat” against Seoul, as Russia wants to prevent the South Koreans from supplying arms to Ukraine.

Seoul is a major exporter of military equipment and has sold tanks to Kiev’s ally Poland. But its longstanding domestic policy prohibits supplying arms to parties to armed conflicts.

“The main concern of the Russian government right now is the supply of South Korean weapons to Ukraine, not just one supply, but multiple supplies,” he continues.

The North Korean leader traveled by train from Pyongyang

According to a South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo, it takes at least 20 hours to connect Pyongyang and Vladivostok – a journey of 1,200 kilometers. Kim Jong-un’s special train, which may be quite heavy due to its armor, travels at a speed of about 60 km/h.

He left on Sunday afternoon by train to visit the Russian Federation,” North Korea’s official KCNA news agency said on Tuesday. State media footage showed the leader walking a red carpet to his train and reviewing a guard of honor at the station.

Dressed in black and surrounded by his top military officers in uniform, Kim Jong-un appears serious-faced in these pictures as he salutes from the door of a green and gold train.

Kim Jong-un’s train enters Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s train enters Russia ahead of secret summit with Vladimir Putin

According to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, the train is traveling along the Russian littoral, which borders North Korea. The images show a train with dark green carriages pulled by a Russian Railways locomotive traveling down the tracks.

Ukraine to soon supply US with long-range missiles

US President Joe Biden is expected to make a final decision soon on the deployment of long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine.CNN indicates, which cited people familiar with the discussions as “significantly accelerated in recent weeks.” According to these officials, “this is an important step recommended by the State and Defense Departments after months of Ukrainian demands.” If a decision is not yet made, the channel notes that “it is now more likely than ever” that the US has so far been reluctant to provide these weapons in the long term. Ukraine fears that it could be used to attack Russian territories.

South Korean security says Kim Jong-un entered Russia on Tuesday

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un entered Russian territory on Tuesday morning after leaving for Russia by train on Sunday. Information confirmed by the Russian agency Ria Novosti.

This will be his first trip abroad in four years.