In the context of massive Western sanctions due to the Russian offensive against Ukraine, Moscow is currently trying to strengthen economic and military relations with Beijing.
Lavrov will travel to North Korea on Wednesday and Thursday at the invitation of the local leadership. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced this on Monday. The Russian chief diplomat is also expected to prepare for a trip by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin has been invited to a state visit to North Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia in September. The two neighboring countries have recently significantly intensified their cooperation. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also recently visited North Korea.
North Korea has been criticized internationally for supplying weapons to Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The country has delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and ammunition to Russia, the White House said Friday. There is no confirmation of this from Russia or North Korea.