Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to visit North Korea and Vietnam in the next few weeks, Russian newspaper Vedomosti reported Monday, citing a diplomatic source.
Russia and North Korea have been enhancing ties following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which started in February 2022, with Pyongyang being accused of providing arms to Moscow.
Putin met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last September at the Vostochny Cosmodrome space launch center in the Russian Far East. At the time, Kim invited Putin to visit his country, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
Putin could visit Vietnam as early as June, most likely immediately after visiting North Korea, the online edition of the Russian newspaper said.
If realized, Putin's visit to North Korea would be his first since July 2000, when the country was led by Kim's late father, Kim Jong Il.
