North Korean leader Kim Jong Un predicted a victory for Russia in its ongoing war with Ukraine during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. 

“I am deeply convinced that the heroic Russian army and people will brilliantly adopt the tradition of victory and demonstrate their honour and glory on the special military operation fronts,’’ Mr Kim said. 

The leaders met at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a spaceport in Russia’s far east, as U.S. officials warned that Russia and North Korea are “actively advancing” in a potential arms deal that could see Pyongyang provide weapons for Moscow to use in its Ukraine war in exchange for sanctioned ballistic missile technology. 

Mr Kim vowed to establish a “ new era of 100-year friendship “ between the two nations and also proposed a toast to a prospective Russian victory and Mr Putin’s health. 

In response, Mr Putin toasted the growing ties between the two nations and quoted a Korean proverb: “Good clothes are new clothes, but a [good] friend is an old friend.”

Mr Putin repeatedly reminded Mr Kim that it was the Soviet Union that backed North Korea – and was the first to recognise it when it was established. 

Mr Putin also stated that the Russian state is willing to help North Korea launch its satellites and rockets. 

When quizzed by a reporter on the issue, his response was “That’s exactly why we came here.”

“The leader of North Korea shows great interest in space, in rocketry, and they are trying to develop space. We’ll show our new objects,” Mr Putin said. 

Videos released by the Kremlin showed the two leaders shaking hands before touring the space centre and adjoining rocket complex, where launch vehicles are assembled and tested. 

The two leaders inspected the complex where Russia plans to launch its next generation of spacecraft.

According to Russian state media, the talk between the two leaders lasted for five hours and Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there were no plans to sign documents.

Mr Peskov explained that the full range of relations between both countries borders on dialogue and interaction in sensitive areas, such as military interaction and the exchange of views on the most pressing issues in the field of security. 

Mr Kim arrived in Russia on Tuesday aboard his heavily-armoured private train, accompanied by party and military leaders, according to North Korean media. 

North Korea has signalled the meeting will deepen ties between the two countries.