China News Network, September 9 -- At 13 a.m. Moscow time on the 13th, North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un's train arrived at Russia's Vostochny cosmodrome and stopped on the rails near the assembly test building. A red carpet was laid out on the stairs at the door of the carriage, and the honor guard of the Eastern Military District of Russia welcomed it.

"Thank you for inviting and warmly welcoming us in your busy schedule." Kim Jong-un said to Russian President Vladimir Putin. After exchanging greetings, the leaders of Russia and North Korea began their second meeting in Russia after four years.

On the 13th local time, Russian President Putin and North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un met and shook hands at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Region of Russia.

Cosmodrome covenant

According to Russian media reports, on the morning of the 13th local time, Putin and Kim Jong-un jointly visited the Russian Eastern Cosmodrome, during which they inspected the assembly workshop of the "Angara" carrier rocket and the "Soyuz-2" carrier rocket launch complex.

Kim Jong-un and the officers accompanying him listened attentively to the briefing. He raised many questions and was interested in the characteristics of rocket fuel, the principle of propulsion of launch vehicles, etc.

During the visit, Kim Jong-un also briefly left a message in the VIP book of the cosmodrome.

On the 13th local time, Russian President Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un visited the "Angara" carrier rocket installation test station together at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, Russia's Far East.

At 8:25, Putin's meeting with Kim Jong-un and the North Korean delegation began. The talks were held in the engineering workshop of the Vostochny Space Launch Center "Soyuz-2" carrier vehicle, and a picture of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin hung on the wall of the meeting hall.

During the exchange, Putin said that he was very happy to meet and receive the DPRK side in Russia again, "this time, as we agreed, at our Vostochny cosmodrome (to meet)." ”

Putin said that the two sides need to discuss many issues such as economic cooperation, humanitarian and regional situations.

Kim Jong-un once again thanked Putin for his reception, saying that he felt the sincerity of his Russian friends.

Putin shook hands with Kim Jong-un. Image source: Russian Kremlin website

He expressed the belief that the meeting will bring the relations between the two countries to a new level. The DPRK expressed support for Russia and "hoped that we would always be together in the struggle against imperialism and the building of a sovereign state."

The wide-ranging talks lasted more than an hour. Subsequently, Putin held face-to-face talks with Kim Jong-un.

"The cooperation between the two countries is not aimed at anyone"

During the talks between Putin and Kim, the Kremlin continued to release news about bilateral relations through the media.

Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said in an interview that North Korea is Russia's close neighbor, and despite various voices and comments from the outside world, Russia will still build bilateral relations in a way that benefits both sides.

Speaking about Russian-DPRK relations, he said that Russia-DPRK relations are only about two sovereign countries and should not cause concern to third countries, and "our cooperation is for the interests of the two peoples, not against anyone."

In addition, Peskov said that after the talks, the leaders of the two countries did not plan to sign any documents, including a joint statement.

On the 13th local time, Russian President Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in eastern Russia, and the picture shows the leaders and delegations of the two countries holding talks together. Image source: Russian Kremlin website

Taste the cuisine of the Far East

After the talks, Putin held a formal welcome luncheon for Kim Jong-un. According to TASS, Putin entertained the DPRK with Siberian and Far Eastern cuisine, and the guests tasted Kamchatka crab dumplings and sea buckthorn desserts.

During this period, Putin raised a glass and proposed to "toast to further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between our two countries - Russia and North Korea, and to the well-being and prosperity of the two peoples."

Kim Jong-un said he believed the visit "will be an important moment for the further development of [bilateral relations]."

After the banquet, Kim Jong-un left the Vostochny Cosmodrome and ended the meeting between the leaders of Russia and the DPRK for more than five hours.

Regarding Kim Jong-un's visit, Putin commented that it was carried out in a "comradely friendly atmosphere."