Kim and Putin Talk Satellites, Ammunition

Russian trade with North Korea has increased because of the West’s sanctions on the two countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur region on Sept. 13, 2023. Vladimir Smirnov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

A flagging economy, heavy casualties, failed military objectives, lack of equipment, and ammunition depletion, combined with increasing isolation from the larger international community, have driven Russian leader Vladimir Putin to reach out to North Korea for help.