In personalist regimes, strong connections between leaders are essential for maintaining close bilateral relations, as their alliances often rely on personal trust and respect. The relationship between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un has often been described as a friendship, indicating that the strengthened Russia–North Korea alliance is unlikely to remain just a tactical move.
The difference in their behaviour and the dynamic between the two leaders is evident when comparing their recent interactions in September last year to their first meeting almost six years earlier.
In April 2019, Kim travelled to Russia and was treated with the utmost respect. He was given Slavic bread karavai and salt, a traditional welcome used by Russia as a friendly gesture, going beyond stiff diplomatic protocol, received personal gifts, and was served fine cuisine. While the two leaders treated each other with politeness, it was tinged with hesitation and a certain awkwardness.
This contrasted sharply with their encounter in Beijing in September 2025, when Putin and Kim seemed much more relaxed – smiling for the cameras, sharing hugs, holding hands, offering each other the best seat in the car, riding together, and drinking tea at the presidential residence. During a visit to Beijing for a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in the Second World War, Putin’s talks with Kim were second in length only to those with China’s Xi Jinping.
Kim has expressed he holds unconditional and eternal respect and support for Putin’s policies and decisions.
Such an upgrade in personal relations was not surprising, given the warmest welcome extended to Putin by Kim in Pyongyang in June 2024, when the two leaders signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Kim came to the airport to meet the Russian president at 3 am and rode in one car with his colleague to the Kumsusan State Guest House. At the welcome ceremony in Kim Il Sung Square, decorated with the portraits of Putin and Kim, crowds welcomed the leaders, and the North Korean orchestra performed the classic Soviet patriotic song “Wide is My Motherland”. The symbolism behind the song choice was also clear at the concert attended by the two leaders, where North Koreans performed several songs, including the “Evening Song”, which is an unofficial anthem of Saint Petersburg, Putin’s hometown. As with the early-morning reception, Kim personally saw Putin off at the airport.
During each meeting of the leaders, personal gifts are exchanged, often customised to reflect their personalities. In June 2024, Kim gifted a pair of Pungsan dogs to the Russian president, a well-known dog lover. The Pungsan dog, North Korea’s national breed, was previously gifted by Kim to Moon Jae-in after the third 2018 inter-Korean summit in September 2018 – a peak in inter-Korean amity – symbolising improved bilateral relations. Putin, for his part, presented Kim with Aurus Senate luxury cars in 2024 after the North Korean leader expressed interest in the Russian car brand in 2023 during his visit to the Vostochny cosmodrome. During the June 2024 summit, they took turns behind the wheel of an Aurus – a gesture of mutual trust. In October 2025, another symbolic gift was given when the Russian delegation presented archival documents related to North Korea – USSR relations, including Kim Il Sung’s letter to Stalin.
Kim’s tone has shifted noticeably in his letters to Putin: in the early years of his leadership, he addressed Putin as “Your Excellency,” but by 2024, this had become “closest Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.” Kim has reinforced this friendly stance by congratulating Putin on notable occasions – his re-election and milestone birthdays. In January 2026, in a reply to what appeared to be a birthday letter received from Putin, Kim used the expression “personal friendship with you”, adding that he holds unconditional and eternal respect and support for Putin’s policies and decisions.
Recent signals suggest Russia is likely to forge a long-term partnership with North Korea, driven by the strengthening ties between Kim and Putin. The Russian President is the only world leader who previously maintained friendly personal relations with Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il. The relationship between Putin and Kim Jong-un represents a unique father-to-son succession of amicable ties. In 2024, North Korea released a song commemorating Kim and Putin, “Eternal Friendship”, which is similar to the 2005 song “Long Live Our Friendship” proclaiming Kim Jong Il and Putin’s friendship. This continuity likely facilitates the building of mutual trust between the two leaders.