Putin Signals Deepening Russia-North Korea Alliance Amid Ukraine War – Azat TV

Putin Reaffirms Russia–North Korea Partnership in Moscow

On a brisk October morning in Moscow, Vladimir Putin welcomed North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui into the ornate halls of the Kremlin. The message he delivered was clear and direct: relations between Russia and North Korea are “going according to plan.” It was more than a diplomatic nicety. In Putin’s words, relayed via Reuters and Modern Diplomacy, lay a signal of intent—one that echoed far beyond the walls of the Kremlin, reverberating through Seoul, Washington, and Kyiv.

Putin’s meeting with Choe Son Hui comes at a critical juncture. Just last year, he and Kim Jong Un signed a strategic partnership treaty, binding their countries together with mutual defense commitments. The pact formalized what intelligence agencies and analysts had long suspected: Russia and North Korea are now military partners, united by shared interests and regional grievances.

North Korean Troops and Arms Fuel Russia’s War Effort

The implications of this alliance are stark. According to estimates from Ukrainian and South Korean officials, North Korea has sent over 10,000 troops to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine. These soldiers, deployed in regions like Kursk Oblast, have reportedly suffered heavy casualties—South Korea’s intelligence agency puts the figure at around 2,000 killed in combat since their deployment.

But manpower is only part of the equation. North Korea has also supplied Russia with artillery shells, rockets, and possibly missiles, providing a lifeline to Russian forces facing Western sanctions and supply shortages. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, told Bloomberg earlier this year that North Korean ammunition now accounts for up to 40% of the shells used by Russian artillery in Ukraine. In return, Pyongyang receives economic aid and access to Russian military technology—a quid pro quo that worries Western governments and regional neighbors alike.

Strategic Calculations: What Drives the Moscow–Pyongyang Axis?

The motivations behind this deepening partnership are complex. For Russia, North Korean support helps offset the impact of Western sanctions and sustain its offensive in Ukraine. For North Korea, the alliance offers economic relief and technological upgrades, as well as a chance to assert its relevance on the world stage. Kim Jong Un has made no secret of his willingness to “unconditionally support” Moscow’s actions, including the war in Ukraine—a stance he reiterated during Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Pyongyang in July.

This partnership is also a response to broader geopolitical dynamics. Both Moscow and Pyongyang accuse the United States and its allies of fueling regional tensions, citing expanded military drills and sanctions as provocations. By reinforcing military and diplomatic ties, Russia and North Korea aim to present a united front against perceived Western encirclement.

Global Reactions and the Road Ahead

The Moscow–Pyongyang axis is causing unease across capitals from Washington to Seoul. The U.S. and its allies are likely to respond with tightened sanctions and increased surveillance of arms transfers and technology exchanges. South Korea, already wary of North Korean provocations, faces the prospect of heightened instability along its border and across the region.

Diplomatic efforts to isolate Russia and North Korea have so far met with limited success. The strategic partnership agreement signed by Putin and Kim Jong Un last June laid the groundwork for expanded defense and economic cooperation, including possible future arms exchanges and joint technological ventures. As the war in Ukraine drags on, both countries appear determined to defy international pressure and deepen their collaboration.

For the Kremlin, maintaining the narrative of “everything going according to plan” is crucial—both for domestic audiences and for allies like North Korea. Putin’s latest message, delivered through Choe Son Hui, was accompanied by his “best wishes” to Kim Jong Un. It was a gesture of solidarity, but also a reminder that the alliance is built on mutual dependence, shared risk, and a willingness to challenge the global status quo.

The Human Cost and Regional Fallout

Beneath the headlines, the human toll of this partnership is mounting. Reports from Ukraine suggest that North Korean troops, often poorly equipped and unfamiliar with the terrain, face grueling combat conditions. The estimated 2,000 fatalities among North Korean soldiers underscore the high price Pyongyang is paying for its support—a sacrifice made in exchange for aid and technology, but at significant personal and national cost.

Meanwhile, the ripple effects of Russia–North Korea cooperation are felt in neighboring countries. South Korea and Japan are ramping up military readiness, wary of a possible escalation. The United States, already deeply invested in supporting Ukraine, must now contend with the prospect of a growing Moscow–Pyongyang axis that could challenge its interests in Asia and beyond.

Diplomatic Maneuvers and the Future of the Alliance

During her visit to Moscow, Choe Son Hui also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, discussing not only bilateral relations but also the shifting dynamics in Asia. The outcome of these talks remains closely guarded, but officials suggest that further cooperation—perhaps in arms development or economic exchanges—is on the table.

As Putin prepares for future engagements, including high-profile meetings with leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump, the message to North Korea remains unchanged: Russia values its partnership with Pyongyang and sees it as a bulwark against Western pressure. The strategic calculations are clear, but the risks—military, diplomatic, and human—are growing by the day.

Analysis: The Russia–North Korea partnership, now cemented by mutual defense commitments and real-time military support, is reshaping the geopolitical landscape around Ukraine and East Asia. While both leaders tout their alliance as “going to plan,” the reality is far more precarious: mounting casualties, deepening isolation, and a dangerous drift toward further militarization. The coming months will test not only the resilience of this partnership, but also the international community’s ability to respond to the challenges it presents.