“My most intimate comrade, Vladimir Putin, I extend my warmest and most heartfelt congratulations to you on your meaningful birthday,” Kim said, according to Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s state-run media. He praised Putin’s “wise leadership and patriotic devotion.”

“The Russian Federation has become a world-class power with strong political stability and robust national strength, proudly taking the lead in creating a multipolar world,” said Kim. “Pyongyang and Moscow will always stand together, and our friendship will be eternal and indestructible.”

Russia and North Korea forged a defense treaty a year ago, which enhanced their military alliance. The “Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation” was initially announced in June 2024. The partnership agreement focused on geopolitical cooperation between Russia and North Korea and emphasized that each would help the other by “all available means,” including a commitment to come to the other’s defense in case of an attack from a foreign adversary. 

“In case any one of the two sides is put in a state of war by an armed invasion from an individual state or several states, the other side shall provide military and other assistance with all means in its possession without delay,” North Korean state media previously reported. 

Furthermore, the agreement stressed the importance of enhancing geopolitical cooperation against adversarial nations to form a “just and multipolar new world order.” Many considered this a formal declaration that the alliance between the two countries directly challenges U.S. global hegemony.

North Korea and Russia’s alliance has come under scrutiny in recent months, particularly with the revelation that North Korea was providing troops to fight in Russia’s war with Ukraine. On Tuesday, Kim said their alliance was “now entering a new heyday, will continue to flourish, driven by the warm friendship and close comradeship bonds.”

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Regarding Russia’s war with Ukraine, Kim announced that North Korea would continue its “brotherly duty” and support Russia’s efforts to defend itself. He also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to “remain faithful in upholding the implementation of the bilateral treaty.”

“We will continue to fully support the Russian people’s just struggle to defend their national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security interests,” Kim said.