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Putin Congratulates Kim on Reappointment as Pyongyang Backs Russia’s War

After a near-100% vote, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un assured Putin that Pyongyang would continue backing Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Kyiv Post

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25 de marzo de 2026

3 min read

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Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on his reappointment as chairman of the State Affairs Commission for a third term, in the latest sign of deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

The Kremlin said Putin praised Kim’s role in strengthening bilateral relations and said Russia would continue cooperation with North Korea under what both sides call a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”

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Kim was reappointed after elections for the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly held on Sunday, March 15. The vote came after a two-year delay and shortly after Kim was reelected general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea in February.

North Korean state media said turnout reached 99.99%, with 0.01% of voters absent because they were abroad or working at sea. It also said 0.07% voted against the pre-approved candidates, while 99.93% backed them - a rare public acknowledgment of dissent in North Korea’s tightly controlled political system.

Putin’s message came as Russia and North Korea continue to deepen political and military ties that have expanded sharply since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

North Korea has publicly backed Russia’s war effort, and Kim said in a letter published by state media on Wednesday that Pyongyang would always stand with Moscow, AFP reported.

“Today, the DPRK and Russia are closely cooperating to defend the sovereignty of the two countries,” Kim said, using the initials of North Korea’s official name. “Pyongyang will always be with Moscow. This is our choice and unshakable will.”

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South Korean and Western intelligence agencies say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia, mainly to the Kursk region, and supplied large quantities of artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems. Estimates cited by analysts and officials say Pyongyang has also shipped more than 20,000 containers of munitions to aid Russia’s war effort.

Analysts say North Korea’s support has likely come in exchange for food, fuel, and Russian military technology.

Around 2,000 North Korean troops have been killed and thousands more wounded, according to South Korean estimates.

Putin and Kim signed a mutual defense pact during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June 2024, committing both countries to provide military assistance without delay if either comes under attack.

Kim’s letter followed Belarusian state media reports that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko would visit North Korea on a two-day trip starting Wednesday to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Both Belarus and North Korea have supported Russia’s war against Ukraine and remain among Moscow’s closest partners in its confrontation with the West.

With Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade approaching, the Kremlin is widely expected to use the annual event once again to showcase support from friendly governments and project wartime unity at home and abroad. While no formal invitation for Kim to attend the 2026 parade has been announced, the Kremlin has said Kim Jong Un holds a valid standing invitation to visit Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the invitation remains in effect and that a visit could take place once both sides agree on a schedule.