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Wonsan, July 13, 2025 – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed “unconditional support” for Russia’s war in Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, state media reported. The talks, held on Saturday in Wonsan, took place in an “atmosphere of warm comradely trust,” according to North Korea’s KCNA news agency.Kim expressed solidarity with “all measures taken by the Russian leadership” to address the “root cause of the Ukrainian crisis” and voiced confidence in Russia’s victory in defending its “dignity and basic interests.” Western officials estimate Pyongyang has deployed 11,000 troops to Russia over the past year to fight Ukraine, with public acknowledgment from North Korea in April. The meeting follows a June 2024 accord between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin, pledging mutual support against “aggression.” North Korea has also committed to sending workers to rebuild Russia’s war-damaged Kursk region, Moscow’s security chief stated last month. This development coincides with US President Donald Trump’s decision to resume military aid to Ukraine, including Patriot air defense systems via NATO, after a brief pause. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, continues to escalate tensions globally.
