Putin ready to meet Kim at 'early date': KCNA

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet with Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un "at an early date," the DPRK's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday. The two leaders are expected to share thoughts on "bilateral ties" as well as "important issues," according to the Russian TV network RT.

In a message to Kim on the DPRK's National Liberation Day – marking the end of Japanese rule over the Korean Peninsula at the end of the Second World War – Putin reiterated his desire for a summit.

"I affirm that I am ready to meet you at an early date to discuss urgent issues of bilateral relations and important matters of the region," the Russian leader said in a message carried by the state-run KCNA.

The message did not offer a specific date for the meeting.

Putin expressed his wish to further develop "reciprocal cooperation including the realization of the tripartite project" that would also involve the Republic of Korea.

Kim also sent a message to Putin, KCNA reported, noting the "valuable tradition" of their joint wartime struggle against Japan was the "strong roots" of their bilateral relations.

Recent high-level exchanges between Russia and DPRK

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov traveled to Pyongyang and met with Kim on May 31 when Lavrov sent out an olive branch and invited Kim to Russia.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (R) chats with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Pyongyang, May 31, 2018. /VCG Photo

"Come to Russia. We would be very happy to see you," Lavrov, seated across a table from Kim, said.

Read more:

Lavrov in Pyongyang: Russia welcomes possible Trump-Kim summit

On June 14, the DPRK's senior diplomat Kim Yong Nam, also the president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, went to Moscow to attend the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) confers with Kim Yong Nam, the president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, at the Kremlin in Moscow, June 14, 2018. /VCG Photo‍

Kim Yong Nam met Putin during his visit and delivered a handwritten message from Kim Jong Un.

The Russian president expressed his appreciation and spoke highly of all the peaceful actions the DPRK side has taken to soothe the tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Russia will continue to make positive contributions to the Korean Peninsula issues, Putin said.

Putin at the time also asked Kim Yong Nam to pass an invitation for Kim Jong Un to visit Russia.

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Putin invites Kim Jong Un to visit Russia in September

(With input from AFP)