The first talks at the Vostochny cosmodrome between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un lasted approximately two hours: Tass reports.
The North Korean leader's train arrived at the railway station of the Vostochny space center in the Amur region of the Russian Far East. Vladimir Putin was also present at the launch facility to welcome him: the two had a brief conversation before holding negotiations in the extended format and a private meeting .
Kim's train stopped near the space center's test and assembly building. Kim and his delegation disembarked from the convoy and walked along a red carpet in front of honor guards, who carried the flags of the two nations. Before the face-to-face meeting, the two leaders visited a rocket assembly and launch site.
Russia, Putin said, will help North Korea develop its program for putting satellites into orbit . In the talks between the two leaders, added the Russian president, "all issues" will be discussed, therefore also cooperation in the military field .
At the end of the face-to-face meeting, in the toast during the official dinner Kim said he was sure that Russia «will achieve a great victory in Ukraine, in a sacred struggle to punish the ragtag group of Evil that wants hegemony and nourishes illusions of expansion ».
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that the talks will focus mainly on bilateral cooperation, including trade and economic ties and cultural exchanges. In addition to this - he adds - the leaders will have a broad exchange of views on the situation in the region and on international affairs in general.
Russia "has stood up to defend its sovereignty and security by opposing hegemonic forces," Kim said during the meeting.
The images from Russian state television showed Putin saying he was "very happy" to see Kim while the two delegations met for talks in which the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries also participated.
