Russian defense chief Sergei Shoigu delivered a message from Vladimir Putin thanking North Korea for supporting the invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, according to DPRK state media, while also holding one-on-one talks with Kim Jong Un.

At a conference to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, Shoigu relayed Putin’s message praising “the DPRK’s unwavering support for [Russia’s] special military operation” in Ukraine, the Rodong Sinmun reported Friday.

Shoigu said North Korea’s “solidarity with Russia on key international issues” underlines the two countries’ common interest to “confront” the West. 

Putin’s letter accused “Western policies” of “undermining