President Vladimir Putin of Russia has made a historic visit to North Korea for a summit with leader Kim Jong Un. The meeting, which marks their second encounter in the past nine months, signifies the deepening political and military partnership between the two countries, primarily built over Russia's involvement in the Ukraine war.

Putin arrived early Wednesday morning, with the highly anticipated meeting scheduled to take place later in the day. This visit is particularly significant as it is Putin's first trip to North Korea since 2000 and the first by a head of state since the country closed its borders in 2020.

During their previous meeting in Russia's Far East in September, Putin accompanied Kim on a tour of the Vostochny spaceport and pledged to assist North Korea in its satellite development. North Korea has consistently supported Russia throughout the Ukraine conflict, voting against United Nations resolutions condemning Russia's invasion and recognizing Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states.

The United States and South Korea suspect that North Korea has been supplying Russia with large quantities of artillery shells and munitions for use against Ukraine, an allegation that North Korea fervently denies. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik has recently alleged that North Korea may have sent as many as 5 million shells and dozens of ballistic missiles to Russia. In return, Russia has reportedly eased North Korea's economic struggles by providing aid, including food supplies in containers.

The political trajectory of the two countries over the past year has seen an increase in bilateral diplomatic and cultural exchanges. Notably, North Korea's foreign minister and Russia's defense minister have paid visits to each other's countries. During his visit, Putin published a letter in North Korea's official newspaper, commending the country's support in Russia's war efforts and portraying both nations as united against the influence of the United States and its allies.

It is speculated that the leaders may sign a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, superseding previous bilateral agreements. However, experts in South Korea and the United States doubt that the relationship will extend much further beyond current transactions. They believe that Putin's visit is primarily a gesture to maintain Kim's support during the ongoing war in Ukraine, simultaneously bolstering his international reputation.

While the trade volume between Russia and North Korea remains minimal compared to trade with South Korea or China, geopolitics and relations with South Korea likely prevent Russia from making significant concessions, such as advanced military technology transfers or a mutual defense treaty, according to analysts. Moreover, North Korea emphasizes self-reliance and shies away from appearing dependent on other nations, thereby potentially hindering any formal announcements of increased military cooperation.

Nonetheless, it is believed that Russia and North Korea value each other as strategic partners, particularly in their opposition to the U.S.-led world order. With China's ambiguous stance, Russia is seen as more daring in challenging the existing system. Meanwhile, China has engaged in high-level talks with South Korea and hosted a trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea, highlighting its desire to maintain a role within the current international order.

As the arms race intensifies and international norms erode, experts assert that bringing North Korea back to the negotiation table for denuclearization will prove exceedingly difficult for the United States and its allies. Russia's acceptance of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state and China's continued rhetoric on denuclearization further complicate the diplomatic landscape.

With President Putin's arrival in Pyongyang, global attention turns to the outcome of this summit and its potential implications for the region and international relations.