Rifle Gift for Kim Jong Un, Symbol of Belarus-North Korea Friendship

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko presented a rifle to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when the two signed a friendship agreement in Pyongyang, according to state media reports.

The leaders, both key supporters of Russia’s war in Ukraine, agreed to work more closely together and reject pressure from Western countries.

Based on a video released by Belarusian state media, Lukashenko joked to Kim that he had brought an automatic rifle, quipping, “this is just in case enemies come”.

In response, Kim gave Lukashenko a sword and a vase featuring a portrait of the Belarusian leader.

“I can say as a friend, as someone who has seen a lot in this world: a bright future awaits your country, with hardworking and disciplined people,” Lukashenko told Kim, as quoted by the Belarusian news agency Belta.

When “international legal norms are blatantly ignored and violated by the ruling powers”, countries need to cooperate in “protecting their sovereignty and improving the welfare of their citizens,” he added.

Lukashenko described the friendship agreement as fundamental, while Kim said it would “further guarantee the stability of bilateral relations,” Belta reported.

Kim Jong Un welcomed Lukashenko in Pyongyang on his first visit to North Korea.

Both leaders also agreed to cooperate in various fields, from agriculture to information and public health, according to KCNA.

North Korea and Belarus face sanctions from Western countries over alleged human rights violations and support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Pyongyang faces separate sanctions for its nuclear weapons programme.

Pyongyang is said to have sent troops to support Russia’s campaign.

Western officials told the BBC last year that an estimated 1,000 North Korean troops were killed in the first few months of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

In a message to Putin this week, Kim said “Pyongyang will always stand with Moscow,” according to North Korea’s KCNA.