Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked North Korea for supporting his war in Ukraine and said the two countires will work closely together to overcome sanctions led by the United States.

       His statement was made as he travelled to Pyongyang on Tuesday (June 18) for a summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Putin is making his first visit to the hermit kingdom in 24 years.

       The Russian leader said he highly appreciates North Korea's firm support for his invasion of Ukraine, adding the two countries would continue to "resolutely oppose" what he described as Western ambitions to "to hinder the establishment of a multipolarized world order based on mutual respect for justice".

       Putin said Russia and North Korea will develop unspecified trade and payment systems that are not controlled by the West and jointly oppose sanctions against the countries, which he described as "unilateral and illegal restrictive measures".

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