Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have signed a treaty of friendship during a summit in Pyongyang.

According to Thai News Agency, the meeting marked the first official visit by a Belarusian president to North Korea since the establishment of political relations between the two nations. The treaty aims to enhance cooperation across various sectors, including diplomacy, agriculture, education, and public health.

During the summit, Kim Jong Un emphasized the significance of this treaty as a major step forward in upgrading bilateral relations. President Lukashenko echoed these sentiments, noting the rapid development of ties between the countries and their shared perspectives on global affairs.

The summit also highlighted the strategic alliance between two leaders who have faced Western sanctions and are considered key supporters of President Vladimir Putin in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Reports from South Korea, Ukraine, and Western sources reveal that North Korea plans to deploy around 14,000 troops to aid the Russian army by 2024. Additionally, President Lukashenko has permitted Russia to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground for its invasion of Ukraine and agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear missiles on Belarusian soil, which borders three NATO member states.