Russia and North Korea have issued a joint condemnation of the United States and its partners, claiming their ongoing military maneuvers near the Korean Peninsula are intentionally provocative. Both nations argue that these regional drills are the primary driver of instability across Northeast Asia.
This consensus was reached during a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. The officials conducted their third round of strategic discussions, prioritizing bilateral cooperation and the execution of pacts signed by President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un in June 2024.
Both governments reaffirmed their dedication to the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, describing it as a tool for fostering a balanced and equitable global order. During a separate Kremlin meeting, President Putin expressed gratitude to North Korea for its support regarding the conflict in Ukraine. He highlighted the contributions of North Korean soldiers, noting that their efforts have been recognized with Russian state honors.