June 23, 2024

Just Two Buddies, Hanging Out


Just Two Buddies, Hanging Out
Kim and Putin, meeting in June 2024. Wikimedia Commons, Office of the President of Russia.

Russian president Vladimir Putin recently returned from a trip to North Korea, where he shored up relations with North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. It was Putin's first visit to the country in more than 20 years.

The trip was punctuated with a lavish motorcade, parades, and applause-heavy musical performances. This included not only the new Soviet-style hit "Putin Kim Jong Un," but also covers by patriotic pop singer Shaman ("I'm Russian" was, sadly, not part of the set).

On the international relations side, Putin and Kim committed to mutual defense, and Kim gave unqualified support to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

All these signs point to Russia's continued isolation from, and growing hostility towards, the West, only exacerbated by the country's War on Ukraine and the Western sanctions that have followed. In addition, Russia has been relying on North Korean weapons as the war drags on — not a good sign of Russia's military capabilities.

Like the buddies they appear to be, Putin and Kim shared a hug before Putin boarded his plane and then Kim Jong Un and North Korean officials waved an enthusiastic goodbye.

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