Smiling Putin and Kim Jong Un vow to fight a 'sacred' battle against the West as the tyrants meet for weapons talks

13 September 2023, 06:58 | Updated: 13 September 2023, 12:16

Putin has welcomed Kim to Russia in the hopes of putting together a deal for munitions
Putin has welcomed Kim to Russia in the hopes of putting together a deal for munitions. Picture: Alamy

By Will Taylor

Vladimir Putin has met with North Korea's dictator Kim Jong Un in a bid to put together a grubby aid-for-weapons deal.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

After 18 months of seeing Kyiv's counterattacks reverse his land grabs, the Russian leader has turned to the world's most notorious state to secure munitions.

The protracted war, which Moscow anticipated would see it seize all Ukraine in a matter of days, has bled its ammunition stocks.

It is expected Kim will demand economic aid and military technology in a deal that could violate sanctions imposed on the hermit kingdom which Russia had previously supported.

He arrived at the Vostochny cosmodrome in the Russian far east after travelling on his slow-moving armoured train this week.

Read more: ‘Russia expects this war to go on for some time’: North Korea meeting shows Putin ‘playing long game’, ex-MI6 spy says

Putin greeted Kim warmly at the spaceport
Putin greeted Kim warmly at the spaceport. Picture: Alamy

Putin's attempts to charm Kim into a deal is another humiliation in a journey that began with him thinking he could capture Ukraine early in 2022 but has resulted in him going cap in hand to Pyongyang.

The two leaders greeted each other warmly after Kim arrived at the spaceport in an armoured limousine that was brought up from North Korea by his train.

The two shook hands as Putin said he was "very glad to see" Kim. Russian state media said Kim was thankful Putin invited him to Russia "despite being busy".

Read more: King Charles wishes North Korea well as Kim Jong-un travels to meet Putin for arms deal

Kim inspected the spaceport ahead of talks with Putin
Kim inspected the spaceport ahead of talks with Putin. Picture: Alamy
Putin was expected to arrange a deal for munitions with Kim
Putin was expected to arrange a deal for munitions with Kim. Picture: Alamy

They are due to sit down for talks after inspecting the cosmodrome. Photos emerged of Kim looking at rockets and the facilities, which were draped with infamous 'Z' logos, the symbol of Russia's bloody and illegal invasion.

It came just hours after North Korea launched two ballistic missiles into the sea.

It is feared Russia will hand over advanced technology to the pariah state in its desperation to get more munitions to hold against a Ukrainian counter attack in the south of that country which is slowly making ground.

Pyongyang could ask for help with satellites and nuclear powered submarines.

Kim could see this deal as a way out of his international exclusion, possibly pitching his country as part of an anti-American axis alongside China and Russia.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Boy, 14, dies after van leaves motorway and collides with tree - as father remains in 'serious condition'

Boy, 14, dies after van leaves motorway and collides with tree - as father remains in 'serious condition'

Huge blaze breaks out in east London tower block - as more than 100 firefighters tackle blaze

Huge blaze breaks out in east London tower block - as more than 100 firefighters tackle blaze

Zelenskyy accuses Russia of breaking ceasefire 'more than 2,000 times' despite Putin's 'Easter Truce'

Zelenskyy accuses Russia of breaking ceasefire 'more than 2,000 times' despite Putin's 'Easter Truce'

Leicester City players dejected during the Premier League match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. Picture date: Sunday April 20, 2025.

Former Premier League Champions Leicester City relegated following 1-0 defeat to Liverpool

Supermarket cheese costing just £3.80 crowned best in UK

Supermarket cheese costing just £3.80 beats big-brand names to be crowned best in UK

A police van at the scene on Ayley Croft in Enfield, after a male was found with stab wounds, despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene. Picture date: Monday February 7, 2022.

Murder investigation launched after woman, 45, stabbed to death in north London

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, left and the winner Denmark's Holger Rune stand on the podium after the ATP Barcelona Open tennis final in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, April 20, 2025. AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Holger Rune stuns Carlos Alcaraz to win Barcelona Open and return to top 10

DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 08: Rory McIlroy (NIR) hits a drive at the 18th hole during the third round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 08, 2024 in Dublin, Ohio.

Masters champion Rory McIlroy to return to action for New Orleans title defence

Husband watched in 'helpless horror' as 'beautiful wife' killed by van driver on golf course during police chase

Husband watched in 'helpless horror' as 'beautiful wife' killed by van driver on golf course during police chase

Israel fires deputy commander after 'operational misunderstanding' led to death of Gaza aid workers in IDF attack

Israel fires deputy commander as it releases report into deadly IDF attack on aid workers in Gaza

Trans rights protestors deface Millicent Fawcett statue as thousands take to streets following Supreme Court ruling

Police launch investigation after seven statues damaged during London trans rights protest

An RAF Typhoon FGR4 takes off at RAF Coningsby, Coningsby, United Kingdom.

RAF fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft flying near NATO airspace

British cyclist Barry Hoban receives his trophy after winning the 18th stage of the Tour de France in Bordeaux, 18th July 1968.

Tributes pour in as Tour de France legend Barry Hoban dies aged 85

Pope Francis stands on the main balcony of St. Peter's basilica

Pope Francis delivers Easter blessing after battle with double pneumonia

Russia launched a wave of missile strikes at Ukraine overnight.

Russian assault continues as Zelenskyy accuses Putin of hitting Ukraine 446 times since 'Easter truce' began

c

Captain Tom's daughter slashes asking price of £2m mansion yet again after previously pulling home from market