[Tee tiong huat]

Putin gets lavish welcome in North Korea with vows of support. 

Cheering crowds and lavish ceremonies greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang on Wednesday (Jun 19), where he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a rare summit aimed at forging a partnership to counter US pressure and sanctions.

An honour guard including mounted soldiers, and a large crowd of civilians gathered at the square by the Taedong River running through the capital, a video broadcast by Russian media showed. The scene included children holding balloons, and giant portraits of the two leaders with national flags adorning the Grand People's Study Hall.

Kim and Putin then rode to the Kumsusan Palace for summit talks, Russian media said. We highly appreciate your consistent unwavering support for Russian policy, including in Ukrainian direction," Russian state news agency RIA quoted Putin as saying at the start of the talks with Kim.

Putin said Moscow is fighting the hegemonic, imperialist policy of the United States and its allies, Russian media reported. Kim said North Korea-Russia relations are entering a period of new flowering, the reports said.

We highly appreciate your consistent and unwavering support for Russian policy, including in the Ukrainian direction," Russian state news agency RIA quoted Putin as saying at the start of the talks with Kim.

Putin said Moscow is fighting the hegemonic, imperialist policy of the United States and its allies, Russian media reported. Kim said North Korea-Russia relations are entering a period of new flowering, the reports said.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/pu...it-4421031