Putin and Kim exchange gifts of limousine, tea set and ‘busts’ in North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un exchanged products that included a Russian-built car, tea set, and painting.

Mr. Putin’s first official visit to North Korea in nearly a quarter of a century was celebrated with a beautiful ceremony.

While mares, balloons, and enormous posters of the two frontrunners adorned the streets of Pyongyang, with a tea party and dinner music to come, he was met with glances and smiles from head Mr. Kim.

Mr Putin, who had one- to- one conversations with Mr Kim which lasted around two hours, gave the Northern Korean president a luxury Aurus car, Russian state advertising reported, citing Kremlin secretary Yuri Ushakov.

The two heads of state were pictured taking Mr. Putin’s vehicle for a spin in an Aurus, but it was not clear whether it was the one Mr. Kim had previously received.

Back in February, Mr Putin gifted Mr Kim another of the Russian-made Auruses – a sedan of the type used by Mr Putin himself. It was delivered to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions.

Which design he has given this time to Mr. Kim is unclear.

Mr. Kim is reportedly a car fan and a collector of expensive foreign vehicles.

He has been seen in a Maybach car, some Mercedes, a Rolls- Royce Phantom and a Lexus sports utility vehicle.

A knife and a chai set were also said to have been given to Mr. Kim by the Soviet leader.

Mr Ushakov said the drink collection was “very beautiful”, according to Russia’s Tass position news agency.

However, Mr Ushakov said Mr Putin was given “also very great gifts”.

He said they included drawings, which he hinted was “related to the picture” of the president, including statues.

Mr Ushakov said they were all “rather skilful”, Tass reported.

The demonstration of unification comes at a time when both nations are experiencing loneliness abroad.

In recent years, ties between the two nations have grown, particularly since Russia invaded Ukraine on a full-fledged basis in 2022.

Despite global sanctions against both countries, North Korea is alleged to be providing Russia with weaponry, rockets, and nuclear weapons for the battle. Both factors deny breaching sanctions.

Mr. Putin thanked Mr. Kim for his “unwavering and consistent support for Russian legislation, including in the Russian direction,” during their discussions.

Mr Kim said their two countries ‘ ties were “entering a time of fresh flowering”, calling Russia North Korea’s “most fair friend”.

They have signed a deal to assist each other in event of “aggression”.

The couple next spoke for a brief time in September when Mr. Kim traveled to the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Russian Far East. His first overseas vacation in four years.

He was invited to sit in the back seat during that visit and was given the opportunity to inspect Mr. Putin’s personal Aurus Senat vehicle. Additionally, they exchanged weapons as presents.

Mr. Putin has invited Mr. Kim to Moscow for their upcoming conference.