![Putin, Kim and the alliances threatening global stability](https://cdn.magzter.com/1591272633/1719114593/articles/uAQ-zJRm-1719136544398/PUTIN-KIM-AND-THE-ALLIANCES-THREATENING-GLOBAL-STABILITY.jpg)
North Korea is not one’s usual pit stop between Russia and Vietnam, but for Vladimir Putin, it was too good an opportunity to miss. Reaffirming Russia’s relations with its allies of old, Putin’s diplomatic mission to Pyongyang and then Hanoi offered an occasion, firstly, to garner support for his ongoing war in Ukraine at a time when Russia has few international friends.
What is more, both visits aimed to send a clear signal to the United States, its allies, and the West, that no matter what Western leaders say, Russia will do all it can to cause trouble in international relations.
Putin’s visit to Hanoi, after spending two days in North Korea, has more than a hint of irony. It was in Hanoi, five years ago, when the notorious presidential summit between Kim Jong-un and then US president Donald Trump – their second in under two years – ended without a deal. The two leaders did not even manage to have lunch. Since then, North Korea has only increased its delinquent behaviour, which reached new heights with this week’s visit by Putin.
The North Korean leader pulled out all the stops for his Russian counterpart. The streets of Pyongyang were lined not just with Russian flags and cheering crowds, but also with portraits of Putin himself. Bizarrely, it was almost as if Putin were the North Korean leader, ready to be lauded and adored by the North Korean population.
It is well known that ever since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has provided North Korea with substantial food assistance and cash in exchange for millions of rounds of North Korean artillery.
The exchange of high-level military technology, not least missiles and satellites, has also taken place between the two rogue states, although concerningly, the true extent of this cooperation remains less well known. The two countries signed a mutual defence pact this week, highlighting how such military cooperation looks set to continue.
This story is from the June 23, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 23, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Russell gifted Austrian win after Verstappen collision](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1751082/mllgWn0sO1719815860977/RUSSELL-GIFTED-AUSTRIAN-WIN-AFTER-VERSTAPPEN-COLLISION.jpg)
Russell gifted Austrian win after Verstappen collision
Mercedes’ George Russell celebrated a surprise Austrian Grand Prix win yesterday after Red Bull’s triple world champion Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris collided late in the race while fighting for the lead.
![Questions to answer over Djokovic's form and fitness](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1751082/bY2ZuXFFe1719815622564/QUESTIONS-TO-ANSWER-OVER-DJOKOVICS-FORM-AND-FITNESS.jpg)
Questions to answer over Djokovic's form and fitness
Alexander Zverev may have been missing something when he declared Wimbledon as the “most open Championships that we’ve had in 20 years”.
![Spain turn on the style as Germany challenge awaits](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1751082/r5nHYR8qA1719815450606/SPAIN-TURN-ON-THE-STYLE-AS-GERMANY-CHALLENGE-AWAITS.jpg)
Spain turn on the style as Germany challenge awaits
Two sides who could scarcely have more different tactical ideas and playing styles. Two sides who have polar opposite histories, in international footballing terms, too.
![Southgate gets lastminute lifeline to redeem himself](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1751082/ZCInEHrE81719815347856/SOUTHGATE-GETS-LASTMINUTE-LIFELINE-TO-REDEEM-HIMSELF.jpg)
Southgate gets lastminute lifeline to redeem himself
There was a minute left to run on Gareth Southgate’s reign, the clock ticking down on a dismal tournament that seemed a demoralising end to the second-finest tenure of any England manager.
![Bellingham heroics saves England from sorry defeat](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1751082/Xir-66OGK1719815163923/BELLINGHAM-HEROICS-SAVES-ENGLAND-FROM-SORRY-DEFEAT.jpg)
Bellingham heroics saves England from sorry defeat
The sort of moment that makes it all worth it, and maybe helps England find their true worth as a team.
![Crowe's shockingly good set adds the feelgood factor](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1751082/lCdpIfxIL1719814998748/CROWES-SHOCKINGLY-GOOD-SET-ADDS-THE-FEELGOOD-FACTOR.jpg)
Crowe's shockingly good set adds the feelgood factor
The Gladiator’ star charged enthusiastically through covers of Dire Straits and Johnny Cash, along with some original songs, on the Acoustic Stage. Louis Chilton was charmed
![ACES OF SPADES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1751082/f47ORPNqe1719814719840/ACES-OF-SPADES.jpg)
ACES OF SPADES
Adele Cardani takes us on a tour of six of the loveliest green spaces you can visit, from the garden of England to up North
![THE EGO HAS LANDED](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1751082/488nXodro1719814499132/THE-EGO-HAS-LANDED.jpg)
THE EGO HAS LANDED
In a world of social media and selfies, it can be tempting to diagnose everyone with narcissistic traits. Helen Coffey asks experts about the reality of narcissism in its different forms
!['We can't let ourselves feel hopeless about the climate'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1751082/MjOKct_2Q1719813129642/WE-CANT-LET-OURSELVES-FEEL-HOPELESS-ABOUT-THE-CLIMATE.jpg)
'We can't let ourselves feel hopeless about the climate'
As the general election looms, Mark Beaumont talks climate activism with Simon Pegg, Sophie Duker and Will McCallum on location in the Greenpeace Field at Glastonbury Festival
![US to remove $320m Gaza aid pier until aid flows again](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1751082/Zyn64NyP71719812949629/US-TO-REMOVE-320M-GAZA-AID-PIER-UNTIL-AID-FLOWS-AGAIN.jpg)
US to remove $320m Gaza aid pier until aid flows again
The pier built by the US military to bring aid to Gaza, at a cost of $320m, is being removed to protect it from the weather – and officials say they are considering not reinstalling it unless aid begins flowing out into the population again.