In a gesture of growing cooperation between the two nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended humanitarian aid to help North Korea recover from the recent devastating floods. The offer was conveyed through a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, expressing sympathy and support for the nation's plight. This comes as another significant development in the strengthening relations between the two countries.

According to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Putin assured Kim that North Korea could always rely on Russia's assistance and support. The scale of the damages caused by heavy rains on July 27 in North Korea's northwestern region was significant, affecting thousands of houses, agricultural fields, public buildings, roads, and railways, as reported by KCNA. The exact number of casualties remains unknown, but North Korean leader Kim described the situation as a "casualty that cannot be allowed."

The improved ties between North Korea and Russia are believed to be a result of the perceived supply of conventional weapons by North Korea to Russia for its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. In June, during a meeting in Pyongyang, Kim and Putin signed a defense pact, promising mutual military assistance in case of an attack. This agreement is considered the most significant defense deal between the two countries since the end of the Cold War.

Kim expressed gratitude for the offered aid from Putin, acknowledging the special friendship between the two nations during this difficult period. However, he mentioned that North Korea has already established its own plans for rehabilitation and would ask for Russian assistance if needed at a later stage, according to KCNA.

Furthermore, it should be noted that South Korea also offered humanitarian support to North Korea on Thursday. However, given the current animosities between the two countries, experts predict that North Korea might ignore or decline the offer. In a recent visit to a military unit involved in flood rescue operations, Kim lashed out at South Korea, labeling it as "scum" and criticizing the alleged exaggeration of death tolls by South Korean media. Interestingly, Kim did not address South Korea's offer of aid during his remarks.

As North Korea continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating floods, international assistance from countries like Russia and South Korea will play a crucial role in helping the nation recover. The humanitarian aid extended by Russia signifies a deepening partnership between the two countries and reflects the growing importance of their bilateral relations.