Russia's top security official Sergei Shoigu arrived Wednesday in Pyongyang, where he will meet the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, for talks, Russian news agencies reported.

Shoigu arrived on orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin, TASS reported, with RIA Novosti saying it expected current affairs "including the situation surrounding Ukraine" to be among the topics of discussion.

Wednesday's visit is Shoigu's second to Pyongyang in less than three months.

Russia and the DPRK signed a sweeping military deal last year, including a mutual defense clause, during a rare visit by Putin to Pyongyang.

Shoigu last visited in March, when he hailed the deal as "fully meeting the interests of both countries."

(With input from AFP) 

(Cover: File photo of Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. /VCG)