Ben Wallace to stand down at next election

       Ben Wallace has mocked Vladimir Putin for "begging" North Korea for outdated weapons.

       North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un is reportedly set to travel to meet the Russian President this month.

       A US official said the pair will discuss the possibility of Pyongyang providing Moscow with military equipment for its botched war in Ukraine.

       But former defence secretary Mr Wallace, who resigned from his position last Thursday, taunted isolated Mr Putin for turning to North Korea.

       The Conservative MP said: "And this is how it ends Mr Putin… the once mighty Russia scrabbling around looking for friends and begging North Korea for weapons from the 1960s."

       Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu travelled to North Korea to meet Kim Jong Un in July (Image: GETTY)

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       The New York Times reported that the meeting between Mr Kim and Mr Putin could take place in the port city of Vladivostok, on the east coast of Russia.

       Mr Putin is said to want his North Korean counterpart, who rarely leaves North Korea, to supply artillery shells and anti-tank missiles.

       Meanwhile, the North Korean dictator is said to be asking for advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines, as well as food aid.

       National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said the US expected “leader-level diplomatic engagement” on arms to take place between the two rogue nations.

       And this is how it ends Mr Putin…the once mighty Russia scrabbling around looking for friends and begging North Korea for weapons from the 1960’s.

       — Rt. Hon Ben Wallace MP (@BWallaceMP) September 5, 2023

       And this is how it ends Mr Putin…the once mighty Russia scrabbling around looking for friends and begging North Korea for weapons from the 1960’s.

       — Rt. Hon Ben Wallace MP (@BWallaceMP) September 5, 2023

       And this is how it ends Mr Putin…the once mighty Russia scrabbling around looking for friends and begging North Korea for weapons from the 1960’s.

       — Rt. Hon Ben Wallace MP (@BWallaceMP) September 5, 2023

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       She said: “Last month Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defence minister, travelled to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to try to convince Pyongyang to sell artillery ammunition to Russia.

       “We have information that Kim Jong Un expects these discussions to continue, to include leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia.

       “We urge the DPRK to cease its arms negotiations with Russia and abide by the public commitments that Pyongyang has made to not provide or sell arms to Russia."

       The Kremlin spokesman had "nothing to say" on the reports, while there was no immediate comment from North Korea.

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