In a surprising development, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is rumored to be making a trip to Russia soon to meet with President Vladimir Putin. This news comes as the Kremlin seeks to acquire military equipment for use in its ongoing war in Ukraine. While the exact details of the meeting are still uncertain, a U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, has indicated that the trip is expected to happen within the month. The potential meeting between Kim Jong Un and Putin follows a visit by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Pyongyang last month.

BREAKING:

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet Putin in Russia to discuss new arms deals

Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are already openly entering into military cooperation and arming each other.

Most likely, in the near future we will see a new military alliance… pic.twitter.com/ItCHpyAQiY

— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) September 4, 2023

During his visit, Shoigu attempted to persuade North Korea to sell artillery ammunition to Russia. National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson confirmed that Kim expects discussions with Russia to continue, even at the leader-level diplomatic engagement. However, she emphasized that the U.S. is urging North Korea to cease its arms negotiations with Russia and uphold its public commitments to refrain from providing or selling arms to the country. Adding further complexity to the situation, Shoigu announced that Russia and North Korea may hold joint war games.

This raises concerns about the escalation of tensions in the region, as the two countries engage in military cooperation. The New York Times initially reported on the planned meeting between Kim and Putin, highlighting the growing ties between the two leaders. Furthermore, the White House disclosed last week that intelligence showed the exchange of letters between Putin and Kim following Shoigu's visit.

The content of these letters was described as being more surface-level, but it was acknowledged that talks on a potential weapons sale were advancing. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this meeting between Kim and Putin will shape the evolving dynamics on the Korean Peninsula and in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The international community will be closely monitoring the outcome and its potential implications for regional stability.