Putin to visit North Korea for first time in 24 years

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised North Korea for “firmly supporting” Moscow’s war in Ukraine, ahead of his first visit to Pyongyang in 24 years.
Mr Putin is expected to arrive in the capital to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday.
The Kremlin has described the event as a “friendly state visit” with Russian media reporting Mr Putin and Mr Kim may sign a partnership agreement, including on security issues, and will give joint statements to the media.
Mr Putin is expected to arrive with his new defence minister, Andrei Belousov, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak will also be part of the delegation.
In 2000, at the start of his presidential career, Mr Putin met Mr Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, who was still supreme leader.