SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday for talks with North Korean military and political leaders as the countries deepen their cooperation over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in Pyongyang on Friday for talks with "military and military-political officials," according to Russian state news agencies, amid deepening ties between the two countries.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russian defence minister Ukraine's use of long-range weapons is the result of direct military intervention by the United States and Moscow is entitled to take action in self-defence,

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov arrived in Pyongyang for talks with North Korean officials, stoking concerns over a further deepening of military cooperation between the two countries.

North Korean soldiers deployed to Kursk to fight with Moscow's forces against Ukraine are well trained but are not being sent into combat, according to a Russian military blogger. Moscow is tight-lipped about the presence of troops sent by Pyongyang to help with its operation to oust Ukrainian troops in the Russian region where they staged an incursion on August 6.

In recent months, North Korea has prioritised relations with Russia, aiming to break out of isolation and strengthen its global standing while embracing the idea of a “new Cold War”.View on euronews