Russia's Lavrov expresses gratitude to Kim for North Korea’s role in liberation of Kursk

At a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Wonsan on July 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov conveyed Russia’s sincere gratitude to North Korea for its assistance in the liberation of the Kursk Region, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"The Russian side expressed its sincere gratitude for Pyongyang’s consistent support in principle of the Russian special military operation, and the participation of fighters from the Korean People’s Army in ousting Ukrainian nationalists and foreign mercenaries from the Kursk Region," the ministry said in a statement, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Lavrov and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also discussed the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which both attributed to increased military activity by Western countries.

The ministry noted that during their talks, "The sides agreed that the rise in tensions in the subregion was caused by the United States and its allies increasing their military activity and conducting increasingly frequent military manoeuvres involving nuclear weapons."

The two officials exchanged views on regional developments in Northeast Asia and focused on strengthening practical cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Emphasis was placed on implementing agreements previously reached between their leaders.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the conversation took place "in a warm atmosphere of comradeship."

By Khagan Isayev