Kim Jong Un meets Putin in Russia, vows "unconditional support" amid Moscow's assault on Ukraine

Seoul, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that his country offers its "full and unconditional support" for Russia's "sacred fight" to defend its security interests, in an apparent reference to the war in Ukraine. Kim said North Korea would always stand with Russia on the "anti-imperialist" front.

The allies' meeting at a remote Russian space launch facility came amid mounting concern that the two heavily-sanctioned countries may strike a deal to exchange weapons and satellite technology that would give Putin a boost in his flailing war in Ukraine, and propel North Korea more quickly toward its goals of launching spy satellites into orbit and obtaining a long-range nuclear missile capability.

Kim called North Korea's relations with Russia his nation's "first priority."