Putin to meet N. Korean foreign minister later Tuesday: Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui on Tuesday evening, the Kremlin said, amid the two nation's deepening military cooperation.

Choe is currently visiting Russia for a three-day visit at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Choe and Lavrov are to meet at noon Tuesday before briefing Putin on the results of their bilateral talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

They will also update Putin on the progress of the agreements reached at his summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in September last year, Peskov said.

In his talks with Choe, Lavrov said the two sides will discuss the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and other pending issues, including ways to expand their bilateral ties.

Criticizing the policies of the United States and its allies as unconstructive, he said Russia will continue to urge them to halt any moves that escalate tensions in the region.

Lavrov also expressed appreciation for Pyongyang's support in what he called Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Choe said the North will put in every effort to thoroughly fulfill agreements made at the Kim-Putin summit.

Choe's visit came amid concerns the North has been providing weapons to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine in return for Moscow's technical assistance in advanced arms development. (Yonhap)