North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reiterated his full support for Russia’s efforts in Ukraine, declaring Pyongyang’s readiness to “unconditionally support” all measures taken by Moscow to resolve the conflict, according to North Korean state media.

The statement came during a meeting between Kim and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the coastal city of Wonsan on Saturday, part of Lavrov’s three-day visit aimed at strengthening strategic ties between the two allied nations.

Lavrov’s visit marks the second round of high-level talks between the two countries’ foreign ministries since the signing of a comprehensive partnership treaty last year. That agreement includes a mutual defense clause, underscoring the deepening military and political alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang.

“The measures taken by our countries in response to the fast-changing global geopolitical landscape will greatly contribute to safeguarding global peace and security,” Kim was quoted as saying by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

KCNA further reported that Kim “reaffirmed the DPRK’s readiness to unconditionally support and encourage all steps taken by the Russian leadership in addressing the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis.”

Lavrov also met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. The two diplomats issued a joint statement vowing to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both nations, reinforcing mutual solidarity in the face of mounting international sanctions and pressure.

In remarks cited by Russian state media, Lavrov praised the relationship as “an invincible fighting brotherhood” and expressed gratitude for North Korea’s military contributions, including the deployment of over 10,000 troops and arms in support of Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.

Beyond the battlefield, Pyongyang has also committed to sending an additional 6,000 military engineers and construction workers to aid reconstruction in Russia’s Kursk region, further cementing its role as a key wartime partner to Moscow.

The latest developments underscore the rapid expansion of Russia–North Korea cooperation since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022 and mark a significant shift in regional power dynamics, as both nations deepen ties in open defiance of Western sanctions and international condemnation.