In a sign of growing military and diplomatic cooperation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to visit North Korea from July 11 to 13, as Pyongyang becomes increasingly entangled in Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine, CNN reported.
The visit, confirmed by both Russian and North Korean state media, comes as part of the second round of strategic dialogue between the two nations’ top diplomats. According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Lavrov's trip will include high-level talks in Pyongyang, marking another step in strengthening bilateral ties.
North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) also announced Lavrov's arrival, stating it came “at the invitation of” Pyongyang’s foreign ministry.
Lavrov’s visit coincides with intelligence reports from Ukraine suggesting that North Korea is preparing to send an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to support Russian operations, significantly increasing its military involvement. Last year, Pyongyang reportedly deployed around 11,000 troops to assist Moscow's forces on the front lines.
This deepening alliance is raising alarm in Western capitals, particularly in Washington, where officials view it as a challenge to both European and Indo-Pacific security. U.S. President Donald Trump recently accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of derailing peace talks, calling his actions “bullsh*t,” and vowed to bolster American support for Ukraine.
Analysts say Lavrov’s visit could further solidify a partnership that is not only altering the course of the war in Ukraine but also shifting the broader geopolitical balance in Asia. Strategic cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang now appears to extend beyond diplomacy, with growing links between their military and intelligence services.
During his stay, Lavrov is expected to hold talks with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, who visited Moscow for the first round of strategic dialogue in November 2024. At that time, Lavrov praised the “very close contacts” between the two nations’ defense and intelligence networks.
It remains unconfirmed whether Lavrov will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the visit. However, such a meeting would not be unexpected, given the rapidly expanding scope of Russia–North Korea ties.
The visit underscores a deepening partnership that is reshaping alliances and conflicts well beyond the Korean Peninsula.
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