Summit subterfuge? Why Putin may be bluffing about tech transfers to North Korea
Russian leader met Kim Jong Un with one eye on South Korea, likely hoping to compel Seoul not to send weapons to Ukraine
Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin at the Cosmodrome Vostochny in the Russian Far East on Sept. 13, 2023. The Z symbol for Russia's invasion of Ukraine hangs in the background. | Image: The Kremlin
The second summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin last week left few doubts about Russia and North Korea's desire to increase military and space cooperation, as well as their disdain for international sanctions that are meant to dissuade these sorts of exchanges.
The North Korean leader and his top military officials also toured a factory producing advanced Sukhoi fighter jets and paid a visit to a Russian air force base. Just before departing on Sunday, a local governor presented him with drones and high-tech body armor.
The second summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin last week left few doubts about Russia and North Korea's desire to increase military and space cooperation, as well as their disdain for international sanctions that are meant to dissuade these sorts of exchanges.
The North Korean leader and his top military officials also toured a factory producing advanced Sukhoi fighter jets and paid a visit to a Russian air force base. Just before departing on Sunday, a local governor presented him with drones and high-tech body armor.
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