North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un vowed to back Moscow all the way, in comments made during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing.
“If there is anything we can do to help Russia, we will definitely do it and consider it a fraternal duty, doing everything we can to assist Russia,” Kim said, according to video footage released by Russian state media of the conversation. Putin responded with the “warmest words of thanks to the Korean people.”
Pyongyang has been among Russia’s top allies as it wages war on Ukraine, sending arms and even North Korean troops to fight alongside Putin’s forces.
“Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically,” Putin told Kim. “We will never forget the sacrifices made by your armed forces and the families of your servicemen.”
The Kim-Putin meeting was held on the sidelines of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s massive Victory Day parade in Beijing on Wednesday, which is being seen as a show of unity aimed at Western nations that have isolated Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang.
Xi hosted 26 world leaders for the parade and was pictured walking shoulder to shoulder with Kim and Putin to a viewing platform on Wednesday. It was the first time the three autocrats have appeared together in public, as well as the first time Kim has attended an international summit of world leaders, according to the BBC.
The event in Beijing commemorated 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II and China’s victory over occupying forces.
As the parade kicked off, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Xi of conspiring with Russia and North Korea against the United States, in a cryptic post on social media.
“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Trump also invoked the history of U.S. support for China during World War II, saying: “Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice!”
Xi didn’t mention the U.S. specifically in his speech, though he did express gratitude to countries that helped China.
But Xi’s main message in his brief remarks was a show of strength: “The Chinese people are a people that are not afraid of violence and are self-reliant and strong,” Xi declared.
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