Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea and Vietnam in the coming weeks, the Vedomosti newspaper reported on Monday, citing a diplomatic source.

Russian ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora confirmed to Vedomosti that the president’s visit to Pyongyang will happen and is being “actively prepared”.

The newspaper said Putin could visit Vietnam as early as June and most likely immediately after his visit to North Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia last September for talks with Putin.

He toured Russia’s Vostochny space launch centre in the far east, and Putin promised to help North Korea build satellites.

The Kremlin has said Russia wants to build a partnership with North Korea “in all areas” but has yet to confirm the date of the visit.

Russia has stepped up ties with North Korea and other countries hostile to the United States such as Iran since the start of the war with Ukraine - relations that are a source of concern to the West.

Read more

Israel’s centrist minister Benny Gantz quits Netanyahu government

US and Saudi Arabia incing towards security deal

Death toll in Gaza crosses 37,000 since October 7

Putin says there is no need for use of nuclear weapons right now

The United States and Ukraine in January accused Russia of firing North Korean-supplied short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine, something Russia declined to confirm or deny.