In Washington, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underscored the need to expand cooperation between the Western military alliance and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. He was attending a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday. The statement coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea.

Stoltenberg stated that Putin’s visit to North Korea demonstrates and confirms the very close alignment between Russia and authoritarian states like North Korea, but also China and Iran. Stoltenberg also highlighted concerns about Moscow’s potential support for Pyongyang when it comes to supporting their missile and nuclear programmes.

Putin arrived in North Korea on Tuesday evening for a two-day state visit against the backdrop of Russia’s war with Ukraine. The Kremlin leader was received at the airport by North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un. Both the leaders will discuss arms deliveries from Pyongyang, among other things.