State-run Tass reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui on the 19th local time.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that during a meeting with Foreign Minister Choe, who is visiting Russia, "President Putin once again expressed gratitude to the North Korean leadership for helping carry out the special military operation (the war in Ukraine)." He added, "President Putin emphasized that 'the merits of the North Korean military, which supported our troops, will never be forgotten in Russia.'"
Putin also "sent warm regards to North Korean State Affairs Chairperson Kim Jong-un" through Choe, according to the account. Putin highly valued diplomatic relations between Russia and North Korea, and Choe responded that "Chairperson Kim recently reaffirmed the strategic focus on comprehensively developing relations with Russia."
Choe's visit to Russia comes about nine months after Oct. last year. Diplomatic circles speculate that, given this trip took place without a clear occasion such as a multilateral meeting or an anniversary, its purpose is preliminary coordination for Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia.