A pact of mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the two countries and the common commitment to fight "neocolonialist practices" of the West , starting with sanctions. Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang , concluded by an invitation to " dear comrade Kim Jong-un " to go to Moscow, brings back memories of the world divided in two by the Cold War.

With the 38th parallel once again becoming one of the frontiers of the challenge between Moscow, committed to supporting North Korea, and Washington, the South's ally. Kim reiterated his support for Moscow in the conflict in Ukraine, which reacted by accusing Pyongyang of provide military aid to Russia to carry out "mass murders" of civilians.

The choreography of Putin's visit seemed designed to emphasize a return to the past , with guards on horseback, children with balloons, giant portraits of the two leaders and the crowd gathered on Kim Il Sung Square greeting Putin's first visit to Pyongyang since 2000 .

The Russian leader commented on the agreement by linking it to the statements of the United States and other NATO countries on the possibility for Ukraine to strike Russian territory with precision weapons and in the near future with F16 jets supplied by the West . “A flagrant violation of all restrictions to which Western countries have committed themselves as part of various international obligations,” Putin said, calling Korea “our most honest friends,” to the credit of China. For his part, Kim said the pact only serves to maintain "peace and stability in the region."

After signing the agreement, the two leaders, smiling and having fun, also acted as each other's chauffeurs at the wheel of an Aurus limousine , the presidential car made in Russia which had just been given as a gift for the second time by the head of the Kremlin to the Marshal of Korea North.