Kim arrives in Russia for meetings with Putin seen as message to U.S.
By Amie Ferris-Rotman WASHINGTON POST
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, surrounded by Russian and North Korean officials, arrives in Vladivostok, Russia, on Wednesday. Kim’s meeting with President Vladimir Putin will take place in private.
MOSCOW — Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia on Wednesday ahead of the North Korean leader’s first talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a meeting designed by both sides to send Washington the message there are other players when it comes to dealing with North Korea’s nuclear program.
In the morning in Russia’s Far East, Kim’s armored train pulled up to the border town of Khasan, where he was greeted by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, before being given a traditional ceremonial welcome by a group of women offering him a round loaf of bread and salt.
“I’ve heard so many good things about your country and have long dreamed of visiting,” said Kim, according to the media office of the Primorsky region.
His train later pulled into the Russian port city of Vladivostok, where he will meet Putin at 1 p.m. Thursday — two months after his second summit with President Donald Trump collapsed in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Kremlin has said no major agreements will be signed nor joint statements issued during Kim’s meeting with Putin, which is expected to take place behind closed doors.
This has not stopped pomp and ceremony from surrounding Kim’s inaugural visit to Russia. In Vladivostok, a military orchestra played when his train pulled into the station.
“I hope this visit will allow me to concretely discuss the questions surrounding stabilizing the situation on the Korean Peninsula,” Kim told Russian state television from the platform, before setting off in his motorcade of black limousines.
The North Korean leader is also expected to tour the headquarters of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, visit the city’s aquarium and sample Russian soups and caviar, as well as swing by a bakery, state media reported.
Kim is eager to save face after the breakdown in talks with Trump on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
For Putin, the summit will offer him another chance to intervene in high-stakes nuclear talks and flex Russia’s muscles on the global stage, where Moscow is increasing its diplomatic clout.