Putin & Kim Sign Pact Vowing Mutual Defense If Attacked

Russia's President Vladimir Putin is calling it a "breakthrough document" while Kim Jong Un is hailing the "strongest ever treaty" which will hasten the start of a "new multipolar world" — but the BBC is calling it an "ominously ambiguous commitment" between "pariahs in arms".

The two leaders on Wednesday signed a new strategic partnership which is centered on a commitment of mutual aid if either country faces "aggression"; however, details were not immediately clear and it could stop short of being a full war treaty. Putin's first trip to North Korea in 24 years has been expectedly chummy as he and Kim thumb their noses at the West and US-led sanctions.

Putin said to reporters following the signing of the pact that it's defensive in nature and promises "mutual assistance" if either country is attacked, calling it a "breakthrough" agreement that takes ties to a "new level".

Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride aptly described that the two leaders sought "to put on a united face to the world in spite of the various crises they face."

"It was a show of strength, a show of unity, heralding what they believe and want other people to believe is a new era in their relations," he observed. "It has all culminated in the signing of a new agreement between the two, which according to Putin forms the basis of relations for years to come."

During the Tuesday night into Wednesday visit, Kim declared his "full support and solidarity" for Russia's war in Ukraine. 

Putin in return thanked Kim for his "unwavering" support, and characterized during their meeting Pyongyang that Moscow is in reality resisting a decades-long "hegemonic and imperialist policy" of Washington and NATO.

Already, North Korea is believed to have supplied Russia's armed forces with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells for use in Ukraine. War monitors have long said that on the front lines, Russia's rate of artillery fire outpaces Ukraine's by ten to one.

Tuesday night included both leaders attending a special gala concert where a popular Russian singer performed, while there was also a moment where Putin and Kim drove a limo, which is the second luxury Aurus limousine to be recently gifted by the Russian leader.

BBC described of the interesting scene:

As we've been reporting, Russia's leader has gifted his North Korean counterpart - and rumored car enthusiast - with a luxury Aurus limousine.

And what better way to celebrate the signing of an accord in which the two countries agreed to support each other in the face of aggression, than with a drive?

The two men were spotted driving along a road before stopping and going for a walk in a wooded area - a small breather in a day packed with official activities, it seems.

The Russian delegation flew in with a huge entourage which included no less than five Russian government Il-76 cargo planes which had parked at the capital's airport since at least Monday. 

The whole visit has been a huge red carpet and extravagant occasion, as AP described: "Kim met Putin at the airport, where the two shook hands, hugged twice and rode together in a limousine. The huge motorcade rolled through the capital’s brightly lit streets, where buildings were decorated with giant Russian flags and portraits of Putin."