Putin's first visit to North Korea in over 20 years

Putin reportedly expressed his interest in visiting North Korea during a meeting with the foreign minister of the country, Choe Son Hui, while he was in Russia. As per Reuters, the Russian president also expressed gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the invitation.

It has been over two decades since Putin last visited North Korea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Russian president's visit is due in the "foreseeable future", but refrained from providing a specific date.

In his interactions with North Korea's Foreign Minister, Putin extended his appreciation for North Korea's support of Russia in their dispute with Ukraine.

Anton Geraschenko, advisor to the Ukrainian Interior Minister, indicated on X portal (formerly Twitter) that North Korea has been arming Russia with ammunition and missiles used in the conflict. He emphasized that Kim Jong Un's nation is the "largest supplier of weapons" to the Russians.

Putin's last visit to North Korea took place in 2000 when he met with the late Kim Jong Il, father of the current North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

It's worth noting that the presidential elections are approaching in Russia. The country is currently grappling with numerous challenges as an outcome of the Ukraine invasion. Sanctions have forced Lukoil to cut back on gasoline production. Meanwhile, Ukrainians are increasingly targeting Putin's "soft spots," that is, industrial targets within Russia.