Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held bilateral talks Wednesday at Beijing’s Diaoyutai state guest house after attending a Chinese military parade commemorating the anniversary of the end of World War II.
The meeting followed a formal reception and a public appearance with other world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Kremlin social media said the two men departed the reception together and traveled to the talks in the same car, a symbolic display of closeness reported by The Associated Press.
Putin opened the session by praising North Korean soldiers for their “bravery and heroism” in fighting alongside Russian troops in Moscow’s war against Ukraine, the AP reported. Putin said North Korean personnel had helped to deter attacks on areas near the Russian city of Kursk, according to the AP account. The Kremlin did not immediately release a full text of Putin’s remarks.
Chinese state events drew multiple foreign leaders to the capital, underscoring Beijing’s role as a convening power for nations with tense relations with the West. Delegations from Iran and other countries also attended the parade and associated diplomatic functions, and China’s leadership highlighted the strengthening ties among these partners.
Officials from Moscow and Pyongyang did not publish immediate details of any agreements reached during the talks. State media and official channels in the two countries typically announce outcomes of such meetings after consultations and formal statements are prepared.
Observers said the talks, set against heightened international scrutiny of Moscow’s actions in Ukraine and longstanding concerns over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, were likely to touch on security and cooperation issues of mutual interest. Russia and North Korea have deepened ties in recent years, and public displays of solidarity in Beijing added a visible dimension to those relations.
Diplomatic analysts noted that bilateral meetings on the margins of major state events allow leaders to coordinate positions, finalize arrangements, and manage messaging to domestic and international audiences. China’s invitation and hospitality provided the context for the encounter but also highlighted Beijing’s balancing act as it deepens ties with a range of partners while maintaining relations with Western countries.
No independent international monitors reported on the content of the discussions, and Western governments had not issued immediate statements on the bilateral talks. It remained unclear whether the meeting would produce concrete commitments on military, economic or logistical cooperation.
The talks added to a series of high-profile diplomatic engagements in Beijing and will likely be followed by further statements from the leaders’ respective governments. Until formal communiqués are released, details of any agreements or understandings will remain limited to official summaries and state media reports.