Putin’s statement on North Korea-Russia agreement: What does it include?
President Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a press conference after their meeting in the capital Pyongyang.
“The two countries are in favor of further developing cooperation.”
During the meeting, Putin said he attached importance to strengthening ties with North Korea, saying, “The two countries are in favor of further developing cooperation. Cooperation between our two countries will continue at the level of economic institutions, parliaments, security forces, foreign policy institutions, public organizations and between our people.”
Putin also said relations with North Korea were improving in the economic and trade spheres, saying “trade volume between the two countries is nine times higher than last year and has increased by 54 percent in the first five months of this year.”
Putin said he had a constructive dialogue with Kim and noted that a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement had been signed between Russia and North Korea. “This agreement contains ambitious goals for deepening Russian-North Korean relations in the long term. These apply not only to the security sphere, but also to politics, trade, culture and humanitarian assistance,” Putin said.
“The United States is undermining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”
Putin praised Western countries’ policies on the Korean Peninsula, saying the United States has taken steps to strengthen infrastructure in the region and organized a number of military exercises with the participation of South Korea and Japan.
“These measures undermine peace and stability on the peninsula and threaten the security of Northeast Asian countries. Attempts to hold North Korea responsible for the worsening situation are absolutely unacceptable. North Korea is determined to take the necessary measures to strengthen its defense capabilities, ensure national security and defend its sovereignty,” Putin said. “He has the right to do so.”
Putin noted that Russia is ready to take political and diplomatic initiatives in the future to eliminate the threat of armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula and build a long-term architecture of peace and stability based on the principles of common security, saying: “The Comprehensive Partnership Agreement that we signed includes mutual assistance in case one side is attacked,” and added, “We foresee that.”
“This is already happening. Everything,” Putin said, noting that the United States and NATO countries have made statements about the shipment of high-precision long-range weapons systems, F-16 fighter jets and other types of weapons and equipment for attacks on Russian territory. “This is happening in various international countries in the West. In this context, Russia does not exclude the possibility of cooperation in the military security field within the scope of the agreements concluded with North Korea,” he said.
Putin said he was opposed to the imposition of sanctions by Western countries, stressing that “sanctions undermine the world’s economic and political system.” He said, “The UNSC’s indefinite restriction regime against North Korea, encouraged by the United States and its allies, needs to be revised.”
President Putin noted that the North Korean regime has a balanced approach to the Ukrainian issue and understands the reasons for its problems.
“Relations with Russia have been elevated to the level of an alliance.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also stressed that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement concluded between the two countries has elevated relations to the level of an “alliance.”
Kim described the agreement as a “deal,” saying, “The relationship between our two countries has reached a new, high level of alliance. I am pleased to conclude this agreement, which is in keeping with the changing international situation and the new strategic nature of North Korea and Russia’s relationship.”
