Putin signed at least a dozen deals with his Vietnamese counterpart and offered to supply fossil fuels including natural gas to Vietnam for the long term during a state visit that comes as Moscow is seeking to bolster ties in Asia.
President Vladimir Putin presented Kim with a Russian-built Aurus limousine which is often described as a "Russian Rolls Royce" as a gift. Later, Putin took Kim Jong Un on a test drive amid tight security.
North Korean and Russian flags were seen hanging side-by-side as the facade of the unfinished and vacant 101-story pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel was seen brightly lit with a giant message reading "Welcome Putin".
Vietnam prepared on Wednesday to roll out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin in a visit seen as a publicity coup for the Russian president, who is accused of war crimes in Ukraine, while bringing benefits and risks for Hanoi's Communist leaders.
North Korea intends to further improve its strategic cooperation with Russia, the North’s leader Kim Jong Un said during a summit meeting with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin arrived in North Korea on Wednesday for his first visit in 24 years, vowing to deepen trade and security ties with the reclusive nuclear-armed state and to support it against the United States.
South Korean military said as many as 20 to 30 soldiers breached the line by 20 metres inside the demilitarized zone and briefly moved back north after warning shots were fired by the South.
Military and economic ties between Russia and North Korea have increased significantly after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. North Korea is believed to have supplied Russia with artillery munitions and ballistic missiles in exchange for sophisticated weapon systems and aid.
India was among a handful of countries at the Swiss peace summit that did not sign the final communique on Ukraine. India has repeatedly emphasised 'dialogue and diplomacy' in resolving the conflict and has called for practical engagement of both parties for further peace talks.
The event, aimed to build support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace formula, is seen as merely symbolic in the absence of Russia and China. PM Modi reiterated to Zelenskyy on Friday that the conflict can only be resolved through "dialogue and diplomacy".
Putin said Russia would be ready for such talks "tomorrow" if Ukrainian troops withdraw from the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk regions occupied by Russia. He also demanded that Ukraine gave up its plans to join the US-led NATO alliance.
During their September meeting at Russia's main space launch site, Kim Jong Un invited the Russian president to visit North Korea at “a convenient time,” and Putin accepted.
While Putin has ruled out the use of nuclear weapons as of now, he refused changes to the Kremlin's nuclear doctrine, which allows the use of such weapons under certain conditions. Notably, Putin's sharp comments had raised the risk of nuclear war in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia could deploy conventional missiles within striking distance of the U.S. and Europe if Western countries provide Ukraine with long-range weapons. Western leaders and Ukraine have dismissed Russia's warnings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received congratulations from over 50 world leaders in the wake of his monumental third-term victory on Tuesday. Leaders from both India's neighbouring countries and those further afield extended their warm regards.
Trump was found guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up the hush money paid to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 elections. Russia has previously made scathing remarks on the US by saying that it is misusing law to persecute political rivals.
The facility is located in a mountainous region of Russia's Altai Republic and the fire reportedly destroyed one of its buildings. Reports claim that the facility is used for meetings with business leaders and foreign guests and also houses a high-tech bunker in the event of a nuclear war.
Putin's warning came as Ukraine secured an agreement with Belgium for 30 F-16 jets, while the Netherlands has committed to providing Kyiv with a Patriot air defence system. Support for Ukraine has been slow from Western countries, leaving it to the mercy of better-equipped Russian forces.
According to Russian sources, Putin has sought to freeze the war on the current frontlines but is frustrated by the West and the Ukrainian President for refusing talks. Russia currently controls 18 per cent of territory in Ukraine and has launched a new offensive targeting the Kharkiv region.
During the extensive interview on Thursday at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, PM Modi emphasised how he has often faced inquiries regarding India's choice to buy crude oil from Russia following President Vladimir Putin's declaration of full-scale war against Ukraine.
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