Moscow: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed "full support" for Russia ahead of President Vladimir Putin's and US President Donald Trump's meeting in the US state of Alaska later this week, state-run media reported Wednesday. Putin spoke with Kim on Tuesday, and they praised the expansion of cooperation under the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between North Korea and Russia, vowing to strengthen ties, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

According to Anadolu Agency, North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to aid Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, following the signing of the partnership by Putin and Kim in Pyongyang in June 2024. The pact mandates extending military support if either side is attacked by a third party.

Kim also affirmed that his country would remain loyal to the spirit of the Pyongyang-Moscow treaty and fully support any measures taken by the Russian leadership in the future. Putin expressed his appreciation and praised the support from Pyongyang as Russia claimed it is pushing Kyiv out of its border region of Kursk following an incursion last August.

The Kremlin stated Tuesday that Putin informed Kim about his upcoming summit with Trump. Putin and Trump will meet Friday to discuss ways to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which is nearing three and a half years. The talks will mark the first face-to-face meeting between sitting Russian and US presidents since June 2021, when Putin met then-US President Joe Biden in Geneva.