North Korea pledges commitment to Russia treaty on Victory Day

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday, May 9, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to its mutual defence treaty with Russia in a message to President Vladimir Putin marking the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two.

In the message, Kim emphasised Pyongyang’s intention to strengthen ties with Moscow, reiterating North Korea’s position to “give top priority” to its partnership with Russia and its commitment to “the implementation of the obligations of the inter-state treaty,” according to foreign media.

Russia and North Korea signed a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty” in 2024 during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang. The agreement includes a mutual defence provision.

The reaffirmation comes amid ongoing military cooperation between the two countries. North Korea is estimated to have sent around 14,000 troops to support Russian forces in the Kursk region during the war in Ukraine. According to South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western officials, those forces sustained heavy losses, with more than 6,000 North Korean soldiers killed in the fighting.

The developments coincide with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations. This year’s parade in Moscow is expected to be one of the most scaled-back in recent years due to the threat of attack from Ukraine, where Russian forces have yet to secure a decisive victory more than four years into the conflict — the deadliest in Europe since World War Two.

Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine confirmed on Friday that they had agreed to a three-day ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. The truce is set to run from May 9 through May 11.

By Tamilla Hasanova