Putin, Kim and the alliances threatening global stability

With multiple threats to humanity engulfing the world, pariah states will only come closer together and the West cannot stand idly by as relations grow

- Edward Howell

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.