Despite their differences in approach, the Russian and North Korean governments have many things in common. Unlike the USA and China, both nations were involved in the Cold War. And they are both in favor of resuming direct talks between the two countries. As for the security guarantees, Moscow and Beijing are in favor of a four-party format that will allow both countries to work out a deal. In return for security guarantees from Russia, Beijing and Pyongyang will also expect US military withdrawal from the peninsula and other North East Asia regions.
Compared to China, Russia has a much lesser meaningful relationship with North Korea than the latter. Both nations continue to provide hard currency to Pyongyang, and the latter is a potential ally. If this continues, however, North Korea may become a nuclear state, which would make shaping and coping with its collapse more difficult. In any event, relations between the two countries are complex. Regardless of their differences, the Russian and Chinese governments should maintain their ties.
The relationship between Russia and North Korea is based on strategic interests. During the Cold War, both countries were at odds with the United States. Stalin’s desire to avoid a confrontation with the US and the People’s Republic of China was a major driving force in North Korean policy. While they did not share the same goals, both countries have a lot in common. For example, both countries share a river, which is 17 kilometers long. While Russia has a border with North Korea, they are still not a significant one.
As for the relationship between Russia and North Korea, it’s important to remember that Russia has a veto power over UN sanctions against Pyongyang. While Russia does not provide hard currency, it does provide North Korea with hard currency. The main advantage of this situation is that Moscow has no economic ties with the DPRK, which means it would suffer less if the North became an ally of the United States.
While Russia and North Korea are not formally allies, they do have important strategic interests in one another’s countries. Their mutual interest in peace and security are mutually beneficial. The Russians want to see the Korean peninsula remain stable. They also want to avoid a nuclear conflict. So, Russia and North Korea are strategic allies. If these two countries are to be allies, they have to have some common interests. The two countries also need to have an understanding of each other’s policies and values.
Although the two countries do not officially share any strategic interest in the same region, they have many common interests. The Russian leader supposedly opposes the US-imposed sanctions and has a very narrow margin of maneuver. If the two countries are allies, the US will not interfere in the Korean peninsula’s affairs. The US, on the other hand, will not interfere in the internal affairs of the other country.
While the two countries are not necessarily allies, their diplomatic relations have flourished. In 2010, Russian ambassador Alexandr Timonin presented his credentials to Kim Yong-nam at the Mansudae Assembly Hall. On June 27, 2012, the DPRK’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kung Seok-gyong, visited Russia. In the same year, the two nations signed an inter-ministerial plan on exchanges. On June 5, both sides signed the Boundary Treaty, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and the DPRK leader agreed to a more formal military relationship.
Although the Russian leader’s visit to Pyongyang was a success for both parties, the two countries cannot promise to help each other in all aspects of their relations. It’s a major international document signed by Kim Jong-il as the leader of the DPRK. And both nations are hesitant to criticize each other, and they may support each other. There are numerous other factors, but these are the most obvious.
Despite the similarities, both countries have some differences. While both are allies in the eyes of their respective peoples, the two states’ margins of manoeuvre are very narrow. They are not allies, and neither are they allied with the same countries. Further, their leaders are also unlikely to agree on any particular policy. For example, China and Russia have agreed to support a resolution by the UNSC that condemns North Korea’s nuclear test.