On September 3, 2025, during a massive military parade in Beijing, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un pledged “everything I can to assist” Russia in Ukraine, while Vladimir Putin publicly thanked Pyongyang for the “courageous and heroic” support of its troops, reaffirming their mutual defence alliance.
On the sidelines of a grand military parade commemorating Japan’s World War II surrender, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to do “everything I can to assist” Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming his nation’s commitment amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Earlier, the two leaders marched alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping at the parade, marking a rare display of unity among the trio. Afterward, they rode together to the state guesthouse for private talks.
Putin, addressing Kim as “Dear Chairman of State Affairs,” thanked Pyongyang for deploying troops to support Russian forces, lauding their actions as “courageous and heroic.” He added that relations between their countries have taken on “a special, trusting and friendly character, and an allied character.”