Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, arrived in North Korea for the first time in 24 years on Wednesday. He promised to strengthen trade and security relations with the nuclear-armed reclusive state and support it in its fight against the United States.

Russian state media reported that Putin’s plane landed in Pyongyang at 2:45 am after a stopover to Russia’s Far East.

The U.S., along with its Asian allies, are trying to determine how far Russia is willing to go to support Kim Jong Un. North Korea has been the only country to conduct nuclear weapons tests in the 21st Century.

Putin, who is a member with a veto in the U.N. Security Council and has a new approach towards North Korea, praised Pyongyang for its resistance to what he called U.S. blackmail, threats, and economic pressure.

In an article by the North Korean state-run media, Putin praised Kim and pledged to “jointly oppose illegitimate, unilateral restrictions” to promote trade and enhance security in Eurasia.

In an article published on the front of North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun (the mouthpiece for the Workers’ Party ruling party), Putin stated that Washington, by refusing to implement previous agreements, continually puts forth new, more stringent, and clearly unacceptable demands.

“Russia has supported the DPRK, and the heroic Koreans in their fight against the dangerous and insidious enemy.

Putin’s presidential order, issued on the eve before the visit, stated that Moscow was seeking to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with North Korea. Yuri Ushakov said that it would cover security issues.

Ushakov stated that the agreement would not be directed at any other country but “outline opportunities for further collaboration”.

Putin said that the Soviet Union had been the first country to recognize the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, founded by Kim’s grand-father, Kim Il Sung less than two years prior to the Korean War.

North Korean state-run media published articles that praised Russia and supported its military operations against Ukraine, calling it a “sacred battle of all Russian citizens”.

U.S. CONCERNS

Putin’s visit to Russia comes as the U.S. accuses North Korea of providing “dozens of missiles” and “over 11,000 containers of ammunition” to Russia for use in Ukraine. South Korea, another staunch ally of the United States, has expressed similar concerns.

The White House expressed concern on Monday about the growing relationship between Russia, North Korea and China. The U.S. State Department stated that it was “quite sure” Putin would seek arms to support his conflict in Ukraine.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang denied the transfer of arms, but they have promised to strengthen military ties. This could include joint drills.

Russia will likely outproduce NATO in ammunition production this coming year. Putin’s visit is therefore likely to be aimed at Washington to show how disruptive Moscow can become on a variety of global crises.

In March, Russia vetoed a renewal of an annual panel of experts that monitors the enforcement of U.N. sanctions imposed against North Korea for its long-standing nuclear weapons and missile programs.

GALA CONCERT

Ushakov, Putin’s adviser, told Interfax that the visit would include one-onone discussions, a gala, a state reception, honours guards, signing of documents, and a media statement.

The delegation will include the Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Also included in the group are the Ministers of Natural Resources, Health, and Transport, as well as the Russian Railways and Space Agency heads. And Putin’s energy point person, Alexander Novak, the Deputy Prime Minister, will also be present.

Commercial satellite imagery revealed that North Korea appeared to be preparing for a possible parade of military vehicles in downtown Pyongyang ahead of the visit.

According to Victor Cha, former U.S. official in charge of national security, now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the summit is the biggest threat since the Korean War for the U.S.

In a Monday report, he said: “This relationship is rooted in history, but has been re-energized by the war in Ukraine. It undermines the safety of Europe, Asia and the U.S. homeland.”

He called on Washington to join forces with Europe and other allies to intensify economic and diplomatic pressure against Pyongyang. He also urged Washington to engage with China and launch an extensive human rights campaign and information campaign in order to flood the North of outside media.

North Korea is under U.N. sanction for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs since 2006. These measures have been intensified over the years.

The Security Council is divided on how to handle Pyongyang.

Russia and China claim that more sanctions won’t help, and that joint military exercises by the United States of America and South Korea will only provoke Pyongyang. They vetoed two years ago a U.S. led push to impose additional U.N. sanction on North Korea for its renewed missile launches.

Washington and its Asian partners accuse Beijing and Moscow that they emboldened North Korea by shielding them from further sanctions.

Putin is scheduled to visit Vietnam after North Korea on Wednesday and Thursday.