North Korea's top diplomat Choe Son-hui met with visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko in Pyongyang, state media reported Sunday, as discussions continue regarding a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the meeting took place Saturday, a day after Rudenko's arrival. The talks were attended by North Korean Foreign Ministry officials and Russian Ambassador to North Korea Aleksandr Matsegora. However, no further details of the discussions were disclosed. Rudenko's visit appears to be part of follow-up efforts related to last year's mutual assistance treaty, which pledges support if either country is attacked, according to Seoul-based Yonhap News. The visit also follows Ukraine's recent acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire proposal by the US. The two officials served as government representatives for the treaty's ratification, reinforcing North Korea-Russia strategic ties. Additionally, Rudenko held separate talks with North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong-gyu on Saturday, where they reached a consensus on practical measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation under their comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed last June, according to KCNA. Reports also suggest that North Korea has dispatched more than 10,000 troops to Russia's western front-line region of Kursk, further deepening military cooperation between the two nations. Meanwhile, North Korea accused the United States of increasing uncertainties for a nuclear war, warning that any US military reinforcements would be "wiped out." The warning comes as Washington deployed additional F-35B stealth fighter jets to Iwakuni Air Base in Japan earlier this month. A commentary published by KCNA condemned the move, stating: "The US desperate moves of military adventurism ... provide the DPRK with reasonable justification and the urgent need to give a tougher warning of action." "Any war reinforcements of the US will be completely contained and wiped out," the statement added. North Korea has consistently framed US military deployments in the region as provocations, reinforcing its stance on nuclear deterrence. — Agencies
