Putin holds call with North Korea's Kim, discusses US-Russia talks, Kremlin says
Mr Kim and Mr Putin discussed the development in the countries' ties under a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2024.
MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and updated him on planned talks the Russian leader will hold with US President Donald Trump in Alaska this week, the Kremlin said on Aug 12.
North Korea's state news agency KCNA later reported the two leaders' call without mentioning the meeting scheduled on Aug 15
between Mr Putin and Mr Trump .
Mr Kim and Mr Putin discussed the development in the countries' ties under a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2024 "confirming their will to strengthen cooperation in the future," KCNA said.
Mr Putin expressed appreciation for North Korea's help in "liberating" the Kursk region in western Russia in the war against Ukraine and "the bravery, heroism and self-sacrificing spirit displayed by service personnel of the Korean People's Army," it said.

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