The Russian Federation and North Korea discussed strategic partnership amidst negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Korea, Choe Son-hui, met with a senior Russian diplomat as part of negotiations for a ceasefire in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. This took place during a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Andrey Rudenko, which was held in Pyongyang. Representatives from the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, participated in the negotiations. The meeting was held behind closed doors, and the details are not disclosed.

Earlier, Rudenko held separate talks with his North Korean counterpart, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Chen Gyoo. They reached an agreement to strengthen bilateral cooperation in accordance with the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership, which was concluded in June of last year.

This visit by Rudenko to Pyongyang is likely part of the mutual assistance treaty in the event of an attack. Both diplomats participated in the ratification of this treaty. The meetings also took place after Ukraine accepted the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.

The Russian diplomat likely discussed this proposal with his North Korean counterpart, considering the deployment of troops by Pyongyang that support Russia's military actions, as well as the detention of North Korean prisoners of war by Kyiv.