Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met on Wednesday at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, located in the Russian Amur Province.
The two leaders spoke briefly, and Kim told Putin: “Thank you for inviting us despite your busy schedule.”
For his part, the Russian President indicated that the meeting is being held during the period when North Korea celebrates important national holidays, and said: “I am very happy to see you, especially (at a time when there is a revival of) occasions such as the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.” 70 years since the victory in the Great War of Liberation, and 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Shortly before that, when he was waiting for the North Korean leader's convoy to arrive, Putin spoke to reporters and revealed some of the agenda for their meeting.
Putin responded to a question about whether Russia would help North Korea build satellites, saying: “This is the reason for which we came to the Vostochny space base.”
The Russian President noted that "the leader of the DPRK shows great interest in missile technology, and they are trying to develop space."
When Putin was asked whether military-technical cooperation would be discussed during his talks with Kim, he said: “We will talk about all issues without haste. There is enough time.”
After the reception ceremony that took place at the main entrance of the building for the installation and testing of rockets carrying the technical complex at the Vostochny Space Airport, Kim toured with Putin in the assembly hall of the “Angara” space rocket. Putin also accompanied his guest to see the launch base of the “Soyuz” space rocket at the airport.
After the tour, talks were held in the Soyuz-2 space missile complex building between the leaders of Russia and North Korea, in the presence of the delegations of the two countries.
Earlier, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the leaders of the two countries will discuss issues of bilateral cooperation, including trade and economic relations and cultural exchanges, in addition to exchanging views on the situation in the region and international affairs in general.
NATO : Announces that it is not studying the possibility of expansion with Armenia's accession
A representative of NATO confirmed that the alliance is not considering the possibility of expanding with Armenia's accession, and that Yerevan itself has not submitted an application to join the alliance.
The representative told the Russian newspaper "Izvestia", commenting on a statement made by the head of NATO's European Development Committee, Guenther Fellinger: "Mr. Fellinger has no official relationship with NATO. He is not an employee of the alliance. His views and opinions belong only to him." "It does not reflect the Alliance's point of view."
He pointed out that the European Development Committee of NATO is not a body or committee affiliated with the alliance, despite its name.
He stressed that NATO partners must determine for themselves the level of their relations with Yerevan , and also reported that Armenia "has not submitted an official application to join the alliance."
It should be noted that Fellinger stated last Monday that Armenia should join NATO, and later that same day, Armenia's Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan said that his country is cooperating with NATO in various forms and formats and is ready to continue this process.
Alexei Tsydinov : Washington is trying to prepare a coup in Mongolia as it did in Ukraine
President of the Republic of Buryatia, said that the United States is trying to prepare a Ukrainian-like coup in Mongolia, which is one of Buryatia's strategic partners.
In an interview with a Novosti correspondent on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum, the President of the Republic of Buryatia stressed that the descendants of Genghis Khan know how to deal with such pressure.
Tsydinov added : “The same (U.S. Deputy Secretary of State) Victoria Nuland, who organized the coup in Ukraine, is now trying to influence the Mongolian people, trying to mobilize the youth. The situation in Mongolia is very difficult now, because of this hypocritical American policy that is being implemented where there is an interest.” For Washington in that.
Tsydinov expressed his confidence that the leadership and people of Mongolia, including the youth, realize that the Americans are trying to destabilize and manipulate them.
He said: “I hope that they will have enough strength to resist these pressures so that their country remains an independent state, and so that they do not turn into a puppet and a plaything in the hands of the United States. The Mongols are a strong people. Genghis Khan proved this in his time. When Genghis Khan was present, the United States did not exist.” "The United States still existed. If the United States had existed at that time, I think Genghis Khan would have invaded it as well. I think the Mongols could now withstand all these pressures."
The 8th Eastern Economic Forum will be held from September 10 to 13, 2023 in Vladivostok, on the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University.