North Korea continues to be a close ally of Russia. In the wake of the 12-day Iran-Israel war, it appears this relationship will be key for Moscow as things move forward.
Russia was not deeply supportive of Iran during the conflict, and this raises questions about what may come next and how Russia's influence on the global stage will form itself in the future.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a press conference with his North Korean counterpart on July 12.
Moscow said that the North Koreans continue to back Russia’s war on Ukraine. “Pyongyang has reaffirmed its unequivocal support for all the goals of Russia’s special military operation and Moscow’s actions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said,” according to Moscow’s TASS state media. "In turn, we once again expressed our sincere gratitude for the contribution of Korean People’s Army servicemen to the successful liberation of the Kursk Region from Ukrainian Nazis and foreign mercenaries," the Russian foreign minister added. Russia often compares Ukraine to the “Nazis.”
Lavrov met with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui in Wonsan in North Korea. "We exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis," Lvrov noted. "Our Korean friends confirmed their firm support for all the objectives of the special military operation, as well as for the actions of the Russian leadership and armed forces. In turn, we once again expressed our sincere gratitude for the contribution of Korean People’s Army servicemen to the successful liberation of the Kursk Region from Ukrainian Nazis and foreign mercenaries," Lavrov said.
Russia pursues new ties as Western diplomacy falls
Russia–North Korea relations have deepened significantly in recent years, shaped by shifting global dynamics, sanctions, and the growing rift between Moscow and the West. While the two countries have a Cold War legacy of friendship, the current phase of cooperation is more pragmatic and rooted in mutual strategic needs rather than ideology.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its increasing isolation from the West, Moscow has sought to bolster ties with various states, including North Korea. In return, Pyongyang has seized the opportunity to ask for economic and political support, while possibly gaining access to Russian military technology and hard currency. Reports in 2023 and 2024 indicated that North Korea supplied Russia with artillery shells and ballistic missiles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have met multiple times, signaling a high-level commitment to deepening ties. Russian delegations have visited North Korea, and cooperation has reportedly expanded to include food, energy, and possible railway infrastructure projects. For Russia, North Korea is useful not only as a source of munitions but also as a symbol of defiance against the West. Meanwhile, North Korea benefits from Russia’s willingness to block additional UN sanctions and to provide a diplomatic lifeline at a time when Kim’s regime remains largely isolated.
As Western countries consolidated around support for Ukraine; Russia and North Korea are positioning themselves as challengers to the West. They are partners in a geopolitical confrontation where military aid and shared anti-Western rhetoric now define their cooperation more than any formal treaty ever did. The implications of this emerging partnership are likely to be felt far beyond the Korean Peninsula.