Putin signs new defence pact with North Korea

Vladimir Putin has signed a new defence pact with North Korea that includes a vow of “mutual aid” if either is attacked.

Describing the agreement with Kim Jong-un as a “comprehensive partnership treaty”, Putin said that the document “provides for mutual assistance in case of aggression against one of the parties”.

It was not clear what kind of assistance the deal involves.

The comments came following the conclusion of one-on-one talks between Putin and Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, in Pyongyang, where the Russian leader is making his first official visit since 2000.

Putin earlier thanked Kim for his support in Ukraine and said the two countries would “fight against the imperialist hegemonistic policies of the US and its satellites”.