Kim Jong-un is expected to arrive by armoured train in Vladivostok in Russia’s far east today for his first meeting with President Putin.
The visit is seen as an attempt by North Korea’s leader to cultivate Moscow’s support as he struggles to improve his country’s economy, with no relief in sight from international sanctions over his nuclear and missile development plans.
Mr Putin has condemned Pyongyang over its weapons programmes while criticising sanctions as ineffective, saying North Koreans would rather “eat grass” than give up their nuclear arsenal.
Mr Kim will have travelled for between ten and fifteen hours by rail to reach the city on Russia’s Pacific coast. The two leaders will meet tomorrow at the Far Eastern Federal University on Russky Island, Russian