Putin Suddenly Extends Special Greetings to Kim Jong Un, Mentions This

Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially expressed deep gratitude to the North Korean government for their military assistance in liberating Russian territory from Ukrainian forces. The gesture underscores the increasingly solid military alliance between the two nations following Pyongyang’s direct involvement on the front lines.

According to a report from Russia Today, the historic moment occurred when Putin received North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui at the Kremlin on Sunday (19/7/2026). During the meeting, Putin specifically appreciated the vital role of the North Korean military contingent, which has been deployed since late 2024 under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement. This pact obliges both countries to provide mutual defence in the event of aggression.

The North Korean troops fought alongside the Russian military to repel a large-scale Ukrainian attack in the Kursk region last year and have continued mine-clearing operations in the border area. Putin praised the high level of bilateral relations and emphasised that the significant contribution of Pyongyang’s soldiers would always be remembered by the Russian people. He also extended his warmest regards to Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.

‘The courage and heroism shown by the North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region will never be forgotten in Russia,’ Putin asserted, as quoted by the Kremlin press service.

In response, Choe Son-hui reaffirmed Pyongyang’s full commitment to maintaining and strengthening the strategic partnership with Moscow. She noted that the relationship between the two countries has reached a new, exceptionally solid level, forged through shared sacrifice on the battlefield. ‘Nothing can undermine our relations,’ Kim Jong Un had previously stated in a message to Putin, illustrating the bond cemented by bloodshed on the Ukrainian front.

This military closeness was previously highlighted by the visit of Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov to North Korea in April, where he awarded the prestigious Order of Courage to North Korean troops involved in the Kursk liberation. During a strategic meeting with Kim Jong Un, Belousov also announced Moscow’s readiness to draft a Russia-North Korea Military Cooperation Plan for the 2027-2031 period to deepen the defence partnership sustainably. He described the North Korean soldiers as ‘true heroes of our time, the elite of the Korean armed forces, their pride, and their tower of strength.’