“The government of the DPRK will warmly welcome President Putin’s visit to our country and is ready to wholeheartedly welcome the closest friend of the Korean people,” the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quotes the text of the message.

Earlier, Putin, at a meeting with Choi Song Hee, discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula, but the main emphasis was placed on the development of bilateral relations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during the negotiations that Russia appreciates the support from the DPRK in the context of the Northern Military District in Ukraine.

He also noted that US policy towards the DPRK does not help peace in the region.