The Kremlin announced on Tuesday (Aug 12) that Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. During the call, Putin informed Kim about his planned meeting later this week with US President Donald Trump in Alaska. The talks between Putin and Trump are scheduled for Friday and are expected to address a range of bilateral and international issues.

North Korea’s official news outlet, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), also released a statement about the conversation. However, the agency did not make any reference to the upcoming Putin–Trump meeting. Instead, its report focused on the state of North Korea–Russia relations. KCNA said the two leaders discussed the progress in their nations’ ties following the signing of a strategic partnership agreement last year. They reportedly reaffirmed their shared determination to deepen cooperation in the future, highlighting mutual interests in political, economic, and defense matters.

According to KCNA, Putin expressed appreciation for North Korea’s contribution to what he described as the “liberation” of the Kursk region in western Russia during the ongoing war with Ukraine. He commended the Korean People’s Army for the “bravery, heroism, and self-sacrificing spirit” demonstrated by its troops in combat.

South Korean intelligence assessments suggest that Pyongyang has already sent more than 10,000 military personnel to assist Russia’s campaign in western Ukraine. These forces are believed to be engaged in both frontline and logistical roles. The same assessment indicates that North Korea may be preparing to dispatch additional troops in the near future, signaling an even deeper military alignment between the two countries. The call reflects the strengthening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang amid escalating tensions with the West. Both leaders appear keen to project a united front, with their partnership extending beyond diplomacy into direct military cooperation, despite widespread international criticism.