Russia’s Vladimir Putin sends a ‘special’ New Year message to North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message on December 18 to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to mark the New Year, North Korean state media KCNA reported on Thursday, December 25.In the message, Putin said that 2025 carried a “special meaning” for relations between Moscow and Pyongyang, reflecting the growing strategic cooperation between the two countries. He expressed confidence that ties would continue to strengthen across political, military and economic spheres in the coming year, according to KCNA.
Putin also praised the “heroic” participation of North Korean soldiers in Russia’s western Kursk region, saying their actions had “clearly proved the invincible friendship” between the two nations. The reference underscored the deepening military alignment between Russia and North Korea amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has drawn increased international scrutiny.
Also read: Putin says Russian forces hold ‘strategic initiative’ as Ukraine war grinds onAccording to KCNA, Putin conveyed his New Year greetings to Kim and the North Korean people while reaffirming his commitment to further expanding bilateral cooperation. The message highlighted what Moscow described as a shared struggle against external pressures and a mutual commitment to sovereignty and security.

The exchange of messages comes as Russia and North Korea continue to bolster diplomatic and defence ties, with recent months seeing closer coordination at high-level meetings and increased engagement between their leaderships, even as both countries have found themselves in greater isolation ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.