What’s the latest?
It’s almost 09:00 in Pyongyang – here’s what’s been happening:
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the North Korean capital around 03:00 local time (18:00 GMT) and was met by the country’s leader Kim Jong Un
Kim was waiting on the tarmac to embrace Putin despite the late hour, standing on a red carpet
The pair then left in the same limousine for the Kumsusan State Guest House where Putin is staying, as banners with the Russian leader’s portrait lined the streets
It’s Putin’s first trip to Pyongyang in 24 years and the second meeting between the two since September, when Kim visited Russia by train
Experts say it is largely driven by Russia’s need for weapons as it wages its war in Ukraine
North Korean state media has talked up Putin’s trip as testament to the “invincibility and durability” of the relationship between the leaders
Putin and Kim will attend a string of meetings today as well as a gala concert and state reception, which could reportedly see them spend nine hours together.
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Posted at 19:2619:26
Photos show Kim greeting Putin on tarmac
The Russian president arrived just before 03:00 local time (18:00 GMT), and despite the late arrival, Kim Jong Un was on the tarmac to greet him with a hug on the red carpet.
As we’ve explained here, coverage of this meeting is tightly controlled. Most of these pictures have been handed out by officials – either from Russia or North Korea – for media to use
Welcome back
Our live coverage is continuing of Vladimir Putin’s first visit to North Korea in 24 years.
Putin and Kim Jung Un will meet for the majority of Wednesday for a handful of meetings and events, including a tea party.
The Russian leader is believed to be visiting North Korea with the intention of procuring ammunition from the country for his invasion of Ukraine.
Stay with us for the latest updates.
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We’re pausing our live coverage now that Vladimir Putin has finally landed in North Korea for his first visit to the country in 24 years.
The Russian president’s arrival has been keenly anticipated throughout Tuesday – but in the end his flight didn’t touch down until the early morning hours locally.
A full day of meetings and events will begin at noon on Wednesday when the red carpet will be rolled out for his official welcoming. He and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will then hold talks.
The two countries are under international sanctions and their burgeoning relationship in defiance of the West is being closely watched by the US and its allies.
Putin’s visit is widely thought to be aimed at procuring ammunition from North Korea for his invasion of Ukraine. He has praised North Korea for “firmly supporting” the war, and Kim said last week that ties with Russia had “developed into an unbreakable relationship of comrades-in-arms”.
On Wednesday, we’ll resume our live coverage of their packed schedule, which reportedly includes nine hours together – and a tea party.
In the meantime, you can read all about Putin’s visit to North Korea here.
The growing cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a rather tricky problem for Washington.
US officials have warned repeatedly of Pyongyang’s ratcheting up of military supplies to Moscow. In recent months, this has included not just bullets and shells, but ballistic missiles, too.
Not only does this kill Ukrainians on the battlefield, but it also gives rise to a question: what is Russia giving North Korea in return? Are Russian officials supplying expertise or materials that could aid North Korean missile development or – most worryingly of all – a nuclear programme?
“There could be some reciprocity here that could affect security on the Korean Peninsula,” said White House National Security communications advisor John Kirby recently, adding: “We’re certainly going to be watching that very, very closely.”
Just a few years ago, efforts to prevent Pyongyang from developing nuclear weapons were one of the last remaining areas in which Russia and the US were cooperating. But Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory has created a new geopolitical reality in which Russia is isolated internationally.
That means Vladimir Putin is prepared to work with any country to build an alliance against the West – the two leaders called it a “sacred struggle” when they met in Russia last year – especially if that country is only too happy to hand over munitions for the war effort.
The supply of North Korean arms hasn’t been confirmed by Moscow or Pyongyang, and we shouldn’t expect any public discussion of it during this visit. Such transfers violate UN arms embargoes, which prohibit the export and import of North Korean weapons.
But UN monitors have reportedly confirmed that North Korean Hwasong-11 missiles were used to bomb the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv earlier this year.
BBC