North Korea’s foreign minister, Choe Son-hui, arrived in Moscow on July 18 for an official visit to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The visit underscores the growing diplomatic and military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, which have deepened since Russia launched its military offensive against Ukraine in early 2022.

The strengthened relationship between the two countries has included a defense agreement signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in 2024. Since then, North Korea has reportedly supplied missiles, munitions, and thousands of troops to assist Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. Analysts note that in return, Russia has been providing North Korea with financial assistance, military technology, food, and energy supplies, helping the country mitigate its diplomatic isolation.

In April of this year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed Pyongyang’s commitment to supporting Moscow, describing Russia’s conflict in Ukraine as a "sacred" war. Shortly thereafter, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and several other senior officials visited North Korea to discuss further military collaboration. Belousov indicated Moscow’s intention to formalize a cooperation plan covering the years 2027 to 2031.

The growing alliance has drawn criticism from both South Korea and the European Union, which have condemned the partnership as destabilizing and contrary to international norms. North Korea’s Foreign Ministry has defended the cooperation, asserting that its partnership with Russia represents a legitimate "exercise of sovereign rights."

Choe’s visit to Moscow comes amid heightened international scrutiny of the military and economic exchanges between North Korea and Russia, reflecting broader geopolitical shifts influenced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.