- Kim Jong Un calls Putin his “dearest friend” and expresses strong support for Russia.
- Xi Jinping pledges China’s commitment to promoting world peace alongside Russia.
- North Korea and Russia’s military cooperation continues to deepen, including a defense pact.
In a New Year’s message, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed Russian President Vladimir Putin as his “dearest friend” and reaffirmed the close ties between the two nations. Kim emphasized the strengthening of political, military, and cultural relations since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
North Korea has been aiding Russia militarily, including sending soldiers to assist in the war. Kim’s message also expressed hopes for a 2025 victory over “neo-Nazism” in Russia.
Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping Highlight Strong Ties with Russia in 2024 Messages
Similarly, Chinese President Xi Jinping described Putin as his “best friend” and vowed to continue working with Russia to promote global peace. Xi’s message focused on China’s steadfast support for Russia amidst a changing international situation. Both China and North Korea have increasingly aligned with Russia, deepening their bilateral ties as they navigate the geopolitical challenges surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
North Korea’s recent defense pact with Russia, signed in June, mandates mutual military assistance in the event of an invasion, and the agreement came into effect this month. Kim’s message emphasized continued collaboration and new projects between the two nations as they move forward in 2024. Kim also referred to Russia’s struggle against “neo-Nazism,” aligning North Korea’s rhetoric with Russian narratives surrounding the war in Ukraine.
Xi Jinping’s message to Putin echoed similar sentiments of friendship and cooperation. Xi praised the strength of the China-Russia partnership and expressed China’s commitment to deepening reforms and promoting world peace. The message underscores China’s growing alliance with Russia, particularly in the face of Western opposition to both countries’ policies.
Both Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping’s messages highlight the ongoing geopolitical shift towards a closer Russia-China-North Korea axis. These alliances have come into sharper focus as the West continues to sanction Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, while China and North Korea offer crucial diplomatic and military support.
The New Year messages from Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping to Vladimir Putin underline the deepening relationships between Russia, China, and North Korea, signaling their unified stance amidst growing international tensions.
“Kim’s message also expressed hopes for a 2025 victory over ‘neo-Nazism’ in Russia.” This sentiment
