Nice to see you? Russian president's reliance on North Korea may prove to be not so nice

THE forced smiles of Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's far east seemed to say it all.

- Robert Fox

Despite their attempt at the Bruce Forsyth catchphrase "nice to see you, to see you, nice" this is a marriage of necessity more than romance. They need each other.

Putin is in search of munitions, especially 155mm shells and barrels for his artillery in Ukraine.

Kim wants recognition above all, plus assistance with his satellite strategy, rocketry including hyper sonic missiles and boosting his nuclear arms projects.

Pyongyang also needs food aid for its starving population, though this is unlikely to be mentioned out loud, nor feature in any concluding communiqué.