Every day, Midi Libre takes stock of the situation in Ukraine. This Tuesday, September 12, 2023, discover the latest news surrounding this conflict.
Kim Jong-un came to Russia for talks with Putin
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will arrive in Russia in the coming days for a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday (September 12).
According to the official North Korean press, Kim Jong-un left Pyongyang for the Russian Far East on Sunday in his private train, accompanied by defense industry representatives, military leaders and the foreign minister. Vladimir Putin arrived in Vladivostok on Tuesday to attend the Eastern Economic Forum. No confirmation was given about the location or time of the meeting between the two leaders.
During the forum, the Russian president said he planned to travel to the Vostochny Cosmodrome, 1,500 km north of Vladivostok, without saying whether he would meet Kim Jong-un there, a possibility raised by Japanese and southern media . -Korean. U.S. officials, who had signaled in advance that they expected an imminent visit to Russia by Kim Jong-un, said talks between the two leaders should focus on a possible arms supply deal from Pyongyang to Moscow for the war concentrate in Ukraine.
The United States has repeatedly expressed concern in recent weeks about the rapprochement between North Korea and Russia, saying the two countries are in advanced negotiations over arms sales. Moscow and Pyongyang have denied any arms transactions while expressing a desire to strengthen their defense ties.
The Kremlin spokesman warned on Tuesday that Russia and North Korea were not heeding US warnings: “In order to implement our relations with our neighbors, including North Korea, the interests of both countries are important to us, not the warnings from Washington,” said Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Russian news agencies as adding: “There will be negotiations between the two delegations and after that the heads of state and government will continue personal exchanges if necessary.”
The discussions will focus on bilateral relations, the situation in the region and the international scene, the Russian presidency spokesman said.
Earlier, Dmitry Peskov said in a video posted online that Russia and North Korea would “further strengthen their friendship” during the second summit between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong – one after the one in 2019.
Putin claimed 270,000 Russians had joined the army
This Tuesday, September 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that 270,000 Russians had voluntarily joined the army and volunteer formations fighting in Ukraine: “We have carried out partial mobilization and 300,000 people have been drafted.” And “In the last six or seven months.” “270,000 people have voluntarily signed contracts to serve in the armed forces and volunteer units,” Vladimir Putin said. In particular, he estimated that 1,000 to 1,500 more people signed a contract every day.
In particular, the Russian President added this Tuesday during an economic forum in Vladivostok that the supply of F-16 aircraft would only “prolong” the conflict in Ukraine: “They will supply F-16s.” Will this change anything? I “I don’t think so. “This will only prolong the conflict,” Vladimir Putin said.