Vladimir Putin thanks Kim Jong Un for North Koreans combating in Ukraine

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/52f6/live/cd336870-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/52f6/live/cd336870-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/52f6/live/cd336870-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/52f6/live/cd336870-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/52f6/live/cd336870-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/52f6/live/cd336870-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/52f6/live/cd336870-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/52f6/live/cd336870-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp" loading="eager" alt="Reuters Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attend a meeting in Beijing" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Reuters It's the third time in two years that Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have met

Russia's Vladimir Putin has thanked North Korean chief Kim Jong Un for the braveness of his troopers who've been combating in Ukraine on the Russian aspect.

Kim, in response, mentioned he was keen to do "the whole lot I can to help" Russia.

The 2 leaders met on Wednesday in Beijing as China held one in all its largest ever navy parades, which marked 80 years because the finish of the Second World Conflict in Asia.

Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, mentioned bilateral relations between Russia and North Korea are pleasant and that Pyongyang's navy helped to liberate the Kursk area.

"Your troopers fought courageously and heroically," Putin informed Kim throughout Wednesday's talks.

"I wish to be aware that we are going to always remember the sacrifices that your armed forces and the households of your servicemen have suffered."

Kim expressed his gratitude for the Russian chief's acknowledgement of North Korea's troops and mentioned bilateral relations between the 2 nations had been "advancing throughout all areas" - referencing Pyongyang's involvement within the "joint wrestle" with Russia in Ukraine.

"If there may be any approach we will help Russia, we will definitely do it as a fraternal obligation."

In line with South Korea, the North has despatched some 15,000 troops to assist Russia in its invasion, together with missiles and long-range weapons. In return, it's believed North Korea obtained meals, cash and technical assist.

These troopers have been concerned in Moscow's efforts to recapture components of western Kursk - the place Ukrainians are defending a small space of territory captured throughout a shock incursion in August - and are thought to have sustained heavy losses.

Western officers mentioned in January that no less than 1,000 had died in simply three months. Two months later, Seoul lawmakers mentioned they believed there have been about 4,700 North Korean casualties, together with 600 deaths, out of a complete deployment of 15,000.

The North Korean troops, none of whom can have any earlier fight expertise, are believed to have spent their first weeks in Russia in coaching after which in help roles.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/f07c/live/35d8eae0-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/f07c/live/35d8eae0-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f07c/live/35d8eae0-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/f07c/live/35d8eae0-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/f07c/live/35d8eae0-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/f07c/live/35d8eae0-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/f07c/live/35d8eae0-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f07c/live/35d8eae0-888d-11f0-aed1-db23423f7cc8.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/EPA/Shutterstock Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and heads of foreign delegations arrive to attend a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War, known in China as the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and the end of World War II, at Tiananmen Square in Beijing" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/EPA/Shutterstock Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un joined Chinese language President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday

It's the third assembly in two years and at a time when Moscow and Pyongyang are deepening their co-operation.

Final June, Putin and Kim signed a deal pledging that Russia and North Korea will assist one another within the occasion of "aggression" towards both nation.

On the time, Kim hailed the treaty because the "strongest ever". He reaffirmed this help a number of weeks in the past when he provided Moscow his "unconditional help" on the struggle in Ukraine.

Pyongyang first publicly acknowledged sending troops to Russia in April, months after Ukraine and the West revealed the large-scale troop motion from North Korea to the Russian-Ukrainian frontline.

Aside from troopers, North Korea additionally promised to ship hundreds of staff to assist rebuild Russia's war-torn Kursk area, Moscow's safety chief mentioned in June.

Final week throughout a particular ceremony, the North Korean chief met households of troopers killed combating for Russia towards Ukraine.

In the course of the occasion, Kim mentioned he was crammed with "sorrow" at failing to carry the troopers again alive, pledging to construct a monument of their honour and to take care of their kids.

"I assumed loads about different martyrs' households who weren't current [at the previous ceremony]... So, I had this assembly organized as I needed to fulfill and console the bereaved households of all of the heroes and relieve them of their sorrow and anguish even a bit of," state information company KCNA reported Kim as saying.