Putin Meets North Korean Minister, Troops Deployed

During a recent meeting in the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui with an unusually long handshake that left her visibly uncomfortable. This encounter followed the deployment of approximately 11,000 North Korean troops to Russia to assist in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine, a move that has raised alarms in Kyiv. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns over the lack of Western support in response to this new threat, noting that North Korean forces are already engaged in combat in the Kursk region. Choe, who was not scheduled to meet Putin, reiterated her country's commitment to support Russia's military efforts, stating that they would provide unwavering assistance. The handshake incident highlights the complexities of diplomatic interactions, particularly between nations with stark cultural differences regarding personal gestures. The meeting underscores the strengthening ties between North Korea and Russia amidst the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Ukraine war.