It wasn't long ago that Russia supported UN-initiated sanctions against North Korea. These sanctions were imposed in 2005 against then-dictator Kim Jong-Il due to the country's hostile nuclear ambitions.
However, last year, Russia, along with China, halted new proposals for sanctions against North Korea after the country conducted its seventeenth provocative missile launch of the year in May 2022.
Now, Russia and North Korea are more or less best friends.
Recently, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un visited Vladimir Putin in Russia. Since then, the two dictators have been exchanging letters filled with warm words about deepening cooperation. Satellite images this week revealed that North Korea has delivered thousands of containers of weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine, something that Russia has since denied.
A love declaration
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has now further deepened the relationship with North Korea. During a lengthy speech on a visit to the country, the Russian minister more or less declared his love for the North Korean government.
"We deeply value your unwavering and principled support for Russia's actions in connection with the special military operation in Ukraine," said Lavrov, according to the speech published on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website.
The speech then took a completely bizarre turn when Lavrov praised North Korea's decision to recognize the Russian-occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent "people's republics."
"We are fully aware that many countries around the world share similar views and assessments, but only a select few, such as North Korea, explicitly declare their solidarity with Russia and can express it openly," he said.
In reality, only Syria, besides Russia and North Korea, has fully recognized the independence of the Ukrainian regions.
"I propose a toast!"
Lavrov continued to speak about how the two nations can look forward to a long friendship and an "increased joint engagement" to promote "comprehensive strategic partnerships." He emphasized that more agreements between the countries are to be expected in the future.
"I propose a toast to the Chairman of Foreign Affairs Kim Jong-Un and Russia's President Vladimir Putin and to all our North Korean friends," concluded the Russian Foreign Minister.
