Putin: Russia and North Korea will build a settlement system not controlled by the West

On the eve of his visit to the DPRK, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia and the DPRK will develop a trade and settlement system free from Western control and jointly fight against unilateral and illegal restrictions.

Yonhap quoted the Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday (June 18) as reporting that Putin published a signed article entitled "Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Continuing the Joint tradition of friendship and cooperation" in North Korea's Rodong Sinmun on the same day, and wrote in the article that Russia and North Korea will work together to elevate bilateral cooperation to a higher level.

It is believed that the statement is intended to ensure that Russia and North Korea can free themselves from the influence of the US-centered international financial system and the benchmark currency of the U.S. dollar and establish an independent trade and settlement system under the sanctions of the international financial system.

Putin stressed continued support for the DPRK in the future, and reiterated the willingness to strengthen the close cooperation between Russia and the DPRK to promote the development of international relations in a more democratic and stable direction. To this end, the two sides plan to build an equal and indivisible security structure in Eurasia; Promoting cooperation and development based on humanitarianism; Promoting scientific research activities between Korean and Russian institutions of higher education; Strengthen bilateral tourism, cultural and educational exchanges, as well as youth and sports exchanges.

These are expected to be included in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement to be signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong UN. Russian presidential aide Ushakov said earlier that Putin and Kim Jong UN or signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in Pyongyang.

Putin will arrive in Pyongyang late Tuesday for a two-day state visit to North Korea. This is Putin's second visit to the DPRK after 24 years and the first visit by a Russian head of state since the Kim Jong UN era, which has attracted great attention from all parties.