What does a dictator bent on world domination give another? Limousines, tea sets and daggers of course.
During his first visit to North Korea in nearly a quarter-century this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin came bearing gifts for authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un — the big reveal being a Russian-made Urus limousine.
Kim – who is said to be a major car enthusiast and collector – smiled as he jumped into Putin’s side as he drove the limousine and they set off on the highway side by side.
They appeared to be driving through a manicured parking lot, at one point stopping to switch spots so Kim could take the wheel and drive off.
The car is the latest in Kim’s collection, which includes several Mercedes cars, a Maybach limousine, and a Rolls-Royce Phantom. According to the BBC.
In February, Putin gave Kim his first Urus limousine – the Russian leader’s official presidential car.
Putin also presented Kim on Wednesday with a Russian Navy dagger and a tea set, which Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described as “very beautiful” to Russian state media.
The pair haven’t played with the dagger, but they do have plans to hold a tea party — though it’s unclear if a tea set will be used in the affair.
In exchange for the generous gifts, Kim presented Putin with some works of art, which Ushakov described as “very good gifts” and “related to… [his] Portrait.” The art reportedly included more than one bust.
Ushakov told Russian news agency TASS that Kim’s gift to Putin was “rather skillful.”
Putin was welcomed to Pyongyang with great fanfare on Wednesday, with the two leaders embracing smiling as balloons flew around them, crowds cheered and posters bearing their faces were plastered across the city.
A ceremony is expected for the leaders, who met privately for about two hours.
During their meeting, Kim offered “full support” for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while pledging to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Kim is believed to be supplying the Russian war with ballistic missiles, and it has been speculated that the ongoing meetings could expand any munitions arrangements currently in place.
US and South Korean officials fear that Russia, in return, would hand over technology to boost North Korea’s nuclear program. On Wednesday, the two countries signed a joint defense agreement and pledged to help each other confront aggression.
“The new axis of evil in the 21st century is still taking shape before our eyes. The agreement between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un promises mutual aid if either of them faces ‘aggression,’ but the world knows,” former Vice President Mike Pence told The Washington Post on Wednesday. Indeed, who are the aggressors?
“As these new alliances form between enemies of freedom, America must not retreat from its role as leader of the free world. Now, more than ever, we must continue to lead the free world against the aggression and threats of authoritarian regimes in Russia, North Korea, Iran, and China.
With mail wires
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