The world this week

Politics

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during a signing ceremony in Pyongyang
Photograph: IMAGO

Vladimir Putin visited North Korea. The Russian president was given an elaborate welcome before holding talks with Kim Jong Un, the Asian country’s dictator. The pair have strengthened their alliance during the war in Ukraine, with North Korea providing Russia with weapons. The West fears that in return Russia is helping North Korea with its nuclear programme. Both leaders signed a mutual-defence pact. Mr Putin then went to Vietnam, where he was also given the full state-visit treatment.

This article appeared in the The world this week section of the print edition under the headline “Politics”

From the June 22nd 2024 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition