North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Pyongyang on Wednesday, greeting him with a military parade and a 21-gun salute, as the two allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin strengthen ties. Kim has supplied Moscow with millions of rounds of ammunition for the war in Ukraine and sent troops to help Russia expel Ukrainian forces that entered the Kursk region in western Russia. Lukashenko has allowed the use of some Belarusian territory for launching Russian operations against Ukraine, which began in February 2022, and later agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons on his territory, which borders three NATO countries. Kim hugged Lukashenko and hosted a lavish ceremony for him, with ranks of soldiers and cavalry and a cannon salute. Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryenkov told his country's official media that the two sides would sign a friendship and cooperation treaty during the two-day visit. He added that the current trade volume is 'modest,' but there is potential to increase it in sectors such as food and medicine. Media quoted Ryenkov as saying, 'The current situation simply pushes us to get closer. We are looking for friends.'
