Kim Jong Un Pledges “Fraternal Duty” Support for Russia; Putin Hails Ties as “Special”
Kim Jong Un Pledges “Fraternal Duty” Support for Russia; Putin Hails Ties as “Special”
LN24 / 21 minutes
September 4, 2025
2 min read
On the sidelines of China’s lavish World War II commemoration, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un promised to provide “full support” for Russia’s military calling it a “fraternal duty”while Russian President Vladimir Putin described their bilateral relationship as “special,”.
Latest Highlights
Historic Summit Trio Presence: Kim, Putin, and Xi Jinping appeared together in a joint military parade marking the first such appearance of the three leaders since the Cold War. World leaders watched as the three flanked in unison on the massive Beijing stage.
Military Reinforcements Confirmed:
Kim reiterated North Korea’s commitment to deploying military support under its 2024 mutual defense treaty with Russia.
South Korean intelligence reports suggest approximately 2,000 North Korean troops have died in the Ukraine conflict, with more deployments expected or already underway.
Forward Planning:
The two leaders delved into “long‑term plans for cooperation,” vowing to elevate bilateral relations to a new level of strategic alignment.
Putin publicly commended North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine, expressing appreciation for their “sacrifices”.
Security Theater:
Why This Matters
Militarized Alliance Gains Momentum: The reaffirmation marks North Korea’s deepening commitment to Russia in its war against Ukraine, reinforcing the 2024 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty.
Propaganda Victory: The spectacle of the three leaders together served as a powerful image symbolizing unity against Western influence and showcasing China’s role in attempting to reshape global power alignments.
Security Region Implications: Together, the growing trilateral camaraderie shifts geopolitical currents:
It reinforces North Korea’s role in direct combat and logistics support for Russia.
It signals enhanced defense cooperation formulas that could affect stability in East Asia.
It may prompt responses from regional players like South Korea, Japan, and the U.S.
Background & Historical Context
Strategic Treaty: In June 2024, Kim and Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, including mutual aid provisions in the event of aggression. The agreement was ratified in late 2024 and came into force in December.
Material and Troop Support: Since late 2023, North Korea has delivered vast quantities of artillery ammunition, howitzers, missiles, and an estimated 12,000 soldiers including special forces to support Russia’s operations in Ukraine .
