Russian President Vladimir Putin is to go to North Korea for the primary time in 24 years on Tuesday.
Mr Putin will meet North Korean chief Kim Jong Un for talks within the capital, Pyongyang.
The 2 leaders final met in September within the Russian metropolis of Vladivostok however that is Mr Putin’s first go to to Pyongyang since 2000.
The US mentioned it was involved in regards to the “deepening relationship between these two international locations”.
The Kremlin has described the occasion as a “pleasant state go to” with Russian media reporting Mr Putin and Mr Kim might signal a partnership settlement, together with on safety points, and can give joint statements to the media.
A parade in Kim Il Sung sq. is anticipated. Mr Putin can be anticipated to observe a live performance and go to the Orthodox Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Pyongyang, the one orthodox church in North Korea.
There are experiences Mr Putin will keep on the Kumsusan guesthouse in Pyongyang, the place Chinese language chief Xi Jinping final stayed throughout his state go to to North Korea in 2019.
Mr Putin is anticipated to reach together with his new defence minister, Andrei Belousov, whereas Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak can even be a part of the delegation.
The Russian president praised North Korea for “firmly supporting” Moscow’s battle in Ukraine forward of his go to.
He additionally vowed help for Pyongyang’s efforts to defend its pursuits regardless of what he known as “US stress, blackmail and navy threats”, in an article printed in North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun, the ruling occasion mouthpiece.
He vowed to construct commerce and safety methods with North Korea “that aren’t managed by the West”.
Mr Kim mentioned final week that ties with Russia had “developed into an unbreakable relationship of comrades-in-arms”.
Throughout their assembly final yr, Mr Putin mentioned he noticed “prospects” for navy cooperation with North Korea, whereas Mr Kim wished Russia’s president “victory” in Ukraine.
The White Home mentioned the US is worried about nearer ties between Russia and North Korea.
“We’re not involved in regards to the journey” by Mr Putin, Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby advised reporters on Monday. “What we’re involved about is the deepening relationship between these two international locations.”
In 2000, at the beginning of his presidential profession, Mr Putin met Mr Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, who was nonetheless supreme chief. Ties between the 2 international locations have elevated in recent times, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Washington and Seoul have accused Pyongyang of supplying Moscow with artillery and different gear, almost definitely in change for meals and navy assist and know-how. Each North Korea and Russia deny the existence of an arms deal.
After North Korea, Mr Putin is anticipated to go to Vietnam, a Communist state and long-time ally, the place each international locations are anticipated to debate points comparable to commerce.
