PUTIN 'ACCEPTS' KIM JONG-UN's INVITATION TO VISIT NORTH KOREA

For Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia, it is clear the red carpet was well and truly rolled out.
It is rare indeed for Russia to open the door to its military sites. But not only was North Korea's leader shown a leading space base, Mr Putin said they would also visit an aviation factory. This was to be followed by a preview of a military programme and a demonstration from Russia's pacific fleet, in the port city of Vladivostok.
We are still in dark if any deals were struck between Putin and Kim. It is highly unlikely we'll ever learn the specifics, but the symbolism and messaging has been stark: technological and military matters were absolutely the order of business.
It's not just the West which will be watching nervously. Asian countries, such as South Korea and Japan, would be on the front line of any escalation launched by an empowered and confident North Korea. Even China, an ally, doesn't really want to see its already unreliable partner become nuclear capable.
Russia would once have also been wary, but Mr Putin offered no hint during the visit that there would have to be limits to military cooperation.
This visit has made it abundantly clear that almost any concerns will now be set aside in pursuit of Putin’s central goal; no matter how much it costs, before winter comes, it must happen now - Victory in Ukraine.




