Kim Jong Un & Lukashenko Meet: North Korea-Belarus Alliance & Russia Ties
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un greeted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Pyongyang on Wednesday with a grand military display, including a white-horse cavalry and a 21-gun salute, signaling a deepening alliance between the two nations.
The lavish welcome ceremony, reported by multiple news agencies, featured ranks of soldiers and flag-waving children as Lukashenko arrived at the airport. This visit marks the first time a Belarusian president has traveled to North Korea, according to reports from Eastern Progress and Newsbug.info.
The strengthening ties between North Korea and Belarus come as both countries maintain close relationships with Russia. North Korea has reportedly been providing Moscow with significant quantities of ammunition for its war in Ukraine, with millions of rounds supplied, as well as sending personnel to assist Russian forces, according to Al Jazeera. Belarus, under Lukashenko, served as a launchpad for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has since agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear missiles on its territory, a move that borders three NATO member states.
Kim and Lukashenko embraced upon meeting, a gesture of solidarity between the leaders. The Belarusian president’s visit follows a period of increased diplomatic and economic cooperation between Pyongyang and Minsk, both of which are subject to international sanctions.
The visit occurs as international scrutiny remains focused on North Korea’s weapons programs and its support for Russia’s military efforts. The United States and its allies have condemned North Korea’s arms shipments to Russia, accusing Pyongyang of violating UN Security Council resolutions. Belarus’s willingness to host Russian nuclear weapons has also drawn strong criticism from Western governments.
No immediate details were released regarding specific agreements reached during the meeting between Kim and Lukashenko, but the display of military honors suggests a commitment to further strengthening their strategic partnership.