Kim Jong-un Pledges to Expand Russia Ties and Backs War Against Ukraine

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to expand and deepen his country's cooperation with Russia in a letter responding to President Vladimir Putin's congratulations on the 78th anniversary of North Korea's founding, according to North Korea's state news agency KCNA as reported by Reuters.

Letter to Putin

In his message, Kim stated that the Pyongyang government holds a firm determination to comprehensively expand and deepen cooperation with Russia. He also expressed full confidence that Russia would prevail in what he described as the 'sacred war' against Ukraine.

Growing Military Alliance

Western governments and Ukraine have accused North Korea of supplying artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia, and of deploying troops to support Russian forces — a charge Pyongyang denies. Kim's latest statement reinforces the ideological alignment between the two countries as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year.