Video Shows Russia's Vladimir Putin Embracing Kim Jong Un in North Korea

Video footage has surfaced showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warmly embracing Vladimir Putin during a red-carpet welcome.

The Russian leader arrived in Pyongyang early Wednesday for his first visit to North Korea in 24 years after receiving an invitation from Kim during their negotiations in Russia's Far East in September.

Putin's visit, which has already produced a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty, signals that ties are further strengthening between the two isolated nations. Moscow faces heavy sanctions over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, while Pyongyang is under United Nations sanctions for its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

Putin brought with him an entourage of top officials, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, and newly appointed Minister of Defense Andrei Belousov, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

"Kim Jong Un shook hands with Putin and embraced him warmly, expressing his joy and gladness at meeting him again in Pyongyang over 270 days after their meeting at the Vostochny Spaceport," reported KCNA.

The media outlet added that the two leaders had a "friendly chat" and hoped their meeting would boost the development of Russian-North Korean relations.

In an article published by North Korean state media just before his arrival, Putin pledged support for the country and the "heroic Korean people in their struggle against the treacherous, dangerous, and aggressive enemy, in their fight for independence, identity, and the right to freely choose their development path."

Putin added that the Kremlin is ready to "closely work together to bring more democracy and stability to international relations."

Russian state news agency TASS cited presidential aide on foreign policy Yury Ushakov, saying the meeting would result in the signing of joint documents.

Later on Wednesday, the two leaders inked a comprehensive strategic partnership, according to Russian media. Details of the agreement remain unclear.

The signing follows reports that South Korean intelligence officials believe the Putin-Kim meeting could lead to a new mutual defense treaty, similar to the one Pyongyang enjoyed with Moscow from 1961 until the dissolution of the Soviet Union 30 years later.

"Moscow and Pyongyang are ratcheting up a long-term defense relationship," Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific security chair at the Hudson Institute, a research foundation in Washington, D.C., told Newsweek about the deepening Russia-North Korean ties.

Although China has long had a stronger influence over the Kim regime, Cronin said: "Putin's protracted invasion of Ukraine created an opportunity for Kim Jong Un, who saw greater advantage in embracing Russia than feigning interest in diplomacy with democratic states on their terms.

"They are two autocrats with troubled military economies dedicated to busting sanctions and the U.S.-led global order," Cronin added.

North Korea is suspected of replenishing Russian ammunition stocks as its forces continue their offensive in Ukraine; North Korean missiles have reportedly been found in Ukraine after being fired by Russian forces; and satellites have captured images of Russian ships loading cargo at North Korean ports.

South Korea's Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said last week the country has tracked approximately 10,000 shipping containers being transferred from North Korea to Russia, enough to hold nearly 5 million artillery shells.

Washington and Seoul suspect that, in return, Russia has provided North Korea with technology to aid its military and surveillance satellite programs.

Russia and North Korea have denied these exchanges are taking place.

Newsweek contacted the U.S. State Department, the North Korean embassy in China, and the Russian Foreign Ministry with written requests for comment.

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