US Slams ‘Troubling’ Putin–Kim Summit; Don’t ‘Lecture Us,’ Moscow Responds

Washington restates concerns about potential arms exchanges between Russia and North Korea. Moscow, for its part, says it will ‘decide for itself’ what states t

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (2nd L) and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (2nd R) visit the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur region on Sept. 13, 2023. Mikhail Metzel/AFP via Getty Images

Washington has expressed concern over what appears to be warming ties—especially in the military field—between Russia and North Korea following a landmark meeting between the leaders of those countries.

“We haven’t seen the full manifestation of this meeting yet,” U.S. State Dept. spokesman Matthew Miller said at a Sept. 13 press briefing.