How far will Putin and Kim take ‘mutual assistance’ in face of aggression?

Meanwhile, the treaty signed by the two leaders provides for “mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties”. This wording is likely to raise concerns in the West, with media outlets reporting that the agreement is equivalent to a mutual defence pact.

During the summit, Kim declared that his country’s relations with Russia had been upgraded. “Relations between our two nations rose to a new high of alliance,” Kim said.

The new mutual assistance provision could provide a justification for Pyongyang to provide soldiers, workers or technicians to help Moscow in Ukraine if Kyiv’s actions are framed as aggression against Russia. On the other hand, the provision could also result in Russian military support for North Korea in the case of military aggression by the United States or South Korea.

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Putin, Kim sign ‘strongest ever’ defence treaty amid growing tensions with the West

Deepening economic cooperation between the two sides can also be expected. Putin praised Pyongyang’s efforts to overcome the impact of Washington’s “economic pressure, provocations, blackmailing and military threats”. The Russian president also vowed to build an alternative settlement system with North Korea that will not be controlled by Western countries.

Putin pledged to work closely with North Korea to “oppose illegitimate unilateral restrictions” through new trade and payment mechanisms. One way Moscow could do this is by conducting financial transactions with Pyongyang through its own central bank digital currency, which was launched last year.

The latest pact may, however, also have implications for North Korea and Russia’s relationship with China. Publicly, China respects closer relations between Russia and North Korea, but