Russia’s senior diplomat arrives in Pyongyang, likely to talk about negotiations with U.S. – media

A delegation from the Russian Foreign Ministry led by Deputy Minister Andrei Rudenko arrived in Pyongyang, and Seoul believes the purpose of the trip is to explain Russia’s stance on the ceasefire proposed by the U.S., as well as Moscow’s next steps in the war against Ukraine.

This was reported by Yonhap, citing the DPRK state media, Ukrinform reported.

It is noted that Moscow diplomats visited North Korea for the first time since June 2024, when they accompanied Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Pyongyang and talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Details about Rudenko’s trip are not known, but observers speculate that he may be there to explain his country’s stance about the U.S. ceasefire proposal and exchange views about Pyongyang’s potential dispatch of additional soldiers to support Russia’s war efforts.

Seoul’s intelligence agency said last month North Korea appears to have deployed additional troops to Russia following its dispatch last year of some 11,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces against Ukraine.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, North Korea’s largest enterprises engaged in the production of artillery shells and missiles have significantly increased their production capacities over the past three years against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.