Pyongyang says Russia and North Korea will expand bilateral relations in the face of 'hostile military forces'
ABCRussian president Vladimir Putin told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the two countries will "expand the comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations with common efforts," according to Pyongyang. Key points: The letter, according to state media, is aimed at expanding relations between North Korea and Russia Pyongyang has already recognised two Russian-backed breakaway states in eastern Ukraine In a letter to Mr Putin, Mr Kim said the solidarity between the two nations has reached a new level In a letter to Mr Kim for Korea's liberation day, Mr Putin said closer ties would be in both countries' interests, and would help strengthen the security and stability of both the Korean peninsula and the North-eastern Asian region, North Korea's state news agency said. Mr Kim predicted cooperation between Russia and North Korea would grow based on an agreement signed in 2019 when he met with Mr Putin. In July North Korea recognised two Russian-backed breakaway "people's republics" in eastern Ukraine as independent states, and officials raised the prospect of North Korean workers being sent to the areas to help in construction and other labour.