FILE – On this photograph offered by the North Korean authorities, North Korean chief Kim Jong Un, middle, and Russian Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu, middle left, attend a banquet on the ruling Staff’ Occasion’s headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea on July 27, 2023. Unbiased journalists weren’t given entry to cowl the occasion depicted on this picture distributed by the North Korean authorities. The content material of this picture is as offered and can’t be independently verified. (Korean Central Information Company/Korea Information Service through AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. official mentioned Monday that North Korean chief Kim Jong Un could journey to Russia quickly to satisfy with President Vladimir Putin because the Kremlin tries to accumulate navy gear to be used in its conflict in Ukraine.
The official, who was not licensed to deal with the matter publicly and spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity, mentioned the U.S. expects Kim will make the journey throughout the month. The official mentioned the U.S. isn’t positive precisely the place or when the assembly would happen, however the Pacific port metropolis of Vladivostok can be a probable risk given its relative proximity to North Korea.
Nationwide Safety Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson famous Monday that Russian Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to Pyongyang final month and tried to influence North Korea to promote artillery ammunition to Russia.
Watson mentioned, “We have now data that Kim Jong Un expects these discussions to proceed, to incorporate leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia.”
She added that the U.S. is urging North Korea “to stop its arms negotiations with Russia and abide by the general public commitments that Pyongyang has made to not present or promote arms to Russia.”
Shoigu mentioned Monday that the 2 international locations could maintain joint conflict video games.
The New York Occasions first reported that Kim deliberate to satisfy with Putin in Russia this month.
The White House mentioned final week that it had intelligence indicating that Putin and Kim swapped letters following Shoigu’s go to. Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby mentioned the letters had been “extra on the floor stage” however that Russian and North Korean talks on a weapons sale had been advancing.
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AP Diplomatic Author Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this story.
