North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will reportedly meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a forthcoming visit to Russia.
Kim intends to visit the Russian Federation at Putin’s invitation by the end of April, according to the Associated Press, citing the Kremlin and North Korea’s state-owned Korean Central News Agency.
The announcement comes as Russia is seeking increased access to North Korean mineral resources while Pyongyang seeks electricity supplies and Moscow’s investment to modernize its infrastructure, most of which was built by the Soviet Union, according to the AP.
U.S.-North Korea relations, meanwhile, have shown signs of strain in recent months. Last week, North Korea conducted its first weapons test since the failure of a February summit between President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump calls Sri Lankan prime minister following church bombings Ex-Trump lawyer: Mueller knew Trump had to call investigation a ‘witch hunt’ for ‘political reasons’ The biggest challenge from the Mueller Report depends on the vigilance of everyone MORE and Kim, the two leaders’ second meeting on denuclearization. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick ShanahanPatrick Michael ShanahanThe Mueller report is a deterrent to government service Former UN ambassador: Trump ‘should be patient’ with North Korea US downplays North Korea’s saber rattling MORE emphasized that the test did not violate either United Nations sanctions or a testing moratorium Trump and Kim agreed to because the weapon was not a ballistic missile.
Also last week, North Korean officials reportedly said they no longer want to negotiate with Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoThe Mueller report is a deterrent to government service Israel praises Trump on ending Iran oil sanction waivers Pompeo blames ‘Islamic radical terror’ for Sri Lanka attacks MORE in nuclear discussions, saying that whenever Pompeo “pokes his nose in, talks between the two countries go wrong without any results even from the point close to success.”
Kim has reportedly been optimistic about continued progress in talks with the U.S., however, saying earlier this month that he expects the nations to reach a nuclear deal by the end of the year.