Lavrov praises Russia's ‘invincible brotherhood' with North Korea
Sergei Lavrov's visit on Saturday was the latest in a series of high-level meetings between the two nations as they seek to deepen their 'strategic dialogue' – which is now set to include a mutual defence pact.
Lavrov said he had 'exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis' with North Korean officials, and thanked the country for the troops they had sent to fight in the war.
South Korea's intelligence service has said North Korea may be preparing to deploy more troops to Ukraine in July or August, after sending more than 10,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russia in the conflict.
'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,' Lavrov said.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, also passed along a message, saying he hoped for more direct contact in the future.
Lavrov further warned the US, South Korea and Japan against forming a security partnership targeting North Korea.
'We warn against exploiting these ties to build alliances directed against anyone, including North Korea and, of course, Russia,' he said, according to Russia's state Tass news agency.
The meeting was held in the coastal city of Wonsan, where North Korea recently opened a beach resort that it says can accommodate nearly 20,000 people.
Speaking at the site, Lavrov said: 'I am sure that Russian tourists will be increasingly eager to come here. We will do everything we can to facilitate this, creating conditions for this, including air travel.'
It also came as Russia fired more than 620 drones and long-range missiles at Ukraine overnight, killing at least six people and wounding dozens.
Moscow has stepped up aerial strikes over recent months, while US-led ceasefire talks aimed at pausing the over three-year war have stalled.
'Twenty-six cruise missiles and 597 attack drones were launched,' Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, said, referring to Iranian-made drones.
On Monday, Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy, is due to begin his latest trip to Ukraine.
Donald Trump, the US president, also said he would make a 'major statement' related to Russia on Monday.
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BBC News
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