Russia, North Korea strategic partnership reaches ‘qualitatively new level’: Lavrov

Russia strengthening ties with North Korea amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stoking fears of arms trade

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made a two-day trip to Pyongyang where he held talks regarding the enhancement of Russian-North Korean ties. This follows a September summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The US has accused North Korea of shipping more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and weapons to Russia. In response, Lavrov dismissed these accusations, explaining that specific details regarding defense ties between Russia and North Korea were not disclosed during Kim's visit to Russia.
The White House alleged that Kim is seeking advanced Russian weapons technologies in return for the munitions, to boost North Korea’s military and nuclear program.
Lavrov stated that Russia values North Korea's support for Russia's military operation in Ukraine. The effort to deepen the relationship between both countries is based on bilateral concerns, according to Lavrov.
In a meeting with his North Korean counterpart in Pyongyang, Lavrov stated that the relations between Russia and North Korea have reached a 'new, strategic level'. This development comes amid concerns that the nations are deepening military ties potentially involving weapons supplies.