Why Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are desperate for each other’s help

The North Korean leader is in Russia to discuss weapons for Moscow’s war machine. Given the isolation both men face, it is clear they need each other, writes Chris Stevenson

Russian president Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a meeting in Vladivostok in 2019 (AFP via Getty Images)

As Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has isolated him on the international stage – and Western sanctions have hit his country’s economy – the Russian president has been casting around for ways to alleviate the pressure and feed his war machine.

First it was China, and its president, Xi Jinping. Mr Putin has consistently touted his good relationship with Mr Xi, and has used it to establish an economic lifeline from Beijing. In June, Chinese customs data showed that trade between the two nations amounted to $93.8bn (£74.7bn) between January and May 2023, up 40.7 per cent when compared to the same period the previous year. The data also showed that China’s exports to Russia were worth $43bn (£34bn) in the same period, up 75.6 per cent on the figure for January to May 2022.

Mr Putin’s desperation was clear when he and Mr Xi met in March. The Russian leader did not just roll out the red carpet, but was at pains to point out just how close the two leaders were. For China, Mr Xi has loftier goals. He is trying to make his nation more of a diplomatic force on the global stage. However, claims from Beijing that it is neutral on the war in Ukraine and is merely seeking peace between the two sides are severely undermined by the level of economic support given to Moscow.