What Vladimir Putin really wants from Pyongyang.
Vladimir Putin’s arrival in Pyongyang on 19 June marked a significant moment in Russian-North Korean relations. As Putin disembarked from his plane, he was met by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who greeted him warmly. The two leaders embraced like old friends, a display of camaraderie as they boarded a car that whisked them through the darkened streets of Pyongyang. The streets were lined with Russian flags and adorned with massive portraits of Putin, signaling not just the friendship between the two nations but also the state of Russia’s standing in the world after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
As the motorcade passed beneath archways proclaiming the “eternal friendship” between Russia and North Korea, it became clear how far Putin’s fortunes had fallen. Just a few years earlier, he had been a prominent global leader. Now, Putin’s tour of North Korea—a pariah state in the eyes of the West—was a stark reminder of the diplomatic isolation he has faced since launching the invasion of Ukraine. The warm reception in Pyongyang, however, highlighted the growing axis of autocracies, including China and Iran, that have lined up in opposition to Western influence.
This visit was not Putin’s first to North Korea. In July 2000, just two months after he assumed the presidency of Russia, Putin traveled to Pyongyang to meet Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un’s father. At that time, Putin was a relatively unknown figure, leading a Russia still struggling to recover from the collapse of the Soviet Union and the financial crises that followed. Fast forward to 2024, and the contrast between those early days of Putin’s leadership and his current position is striking.
Back then, Russia was still finding its footing, while North Korea remained isolated, ruled by Kim Jong Il, who was still consolidating his power. Today, both nations are engaged in a different kind of diplomacy, with Putin seeking support from Kim Jong Un amidst Russia’s growing international isolation. The meeting between the two leaders was a clear indication of the changing dynamics in global power, where authoritarian regimes are finding common cause against the Western-led order.
For Putin, the visit to North Korea is more than just a symbolic gesture of friendship. It is a recognition of the shifting geopolitical landscape, where Russia is seeking to strengthen ties with countries that are also opposed to Western influence. North Korea, long a pariah state, is becoming an increasingly important ally for Russia, especially as the two nations face similar international pressures and sanctions. The partnership between Putin and Kim represents a consolidation of power among autocratic regimes, one that directly challenges the West.
As the visit unfolded, it was evident that Putin’s relationship with Kim Jong Un is grounded in mutual benefit. For Russia, it is a chance to deepen its ties with a nation that shares its disdain for Western powers. For North Korea, it is an opportunity to gain a powerful ally in its ongoing struggle against international sanctions and isolation. Together, Putin and Kim are forging a new path that challenges the global order, signaling the rise of a new axis of power.
