Meanwhile, the Kremlin said negotiations between North Korean and Russian delegations are planned during Kim’s visit, with discussions regarding a possible direct meeting between the leaders.

The visit will mark Kim’s first to Russia in nearly 4.5 years and his first visit abroad since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pyongyang has recently sought to improve its military ties with Moscow amid increased security cooperation between South Korea, the United States (US) and Japan.

The New York Times previously reported that Kim plans to travel to Vladivostok, possibly by armored train this month, to confer with Putin over the possibility of supplying Russia with ammunition and weapons for its war in Ukraine and other military cooperation.

As North Korea and Russia confirmed Kim’s visit to Russia, the US called on Pyongyang not to provide any weapons to Russia.

White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson underscored that North Korea and Russia will likely continue to discuss potential arms deals during Kim and Putin’s meeting.

“As we have publicly warned, discussions on weapons between Russia and the DPRK are expected to continue during Kim Jong-un’s visit to Russia,” Watson told Yonhap News Agency when asked to comment on Kim’s visit to Russia.

DPRK stands for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which is the North’s official name.

“We urge the DPRK to abide by the public commitment Pyongyang has made not to provide or sell weapons to Russia,” he continued.