North Korea says Kim Jong Un has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to his country

The official North Korean state-run media outlet, the Korean Central News Agency, reported that Kim Jong Un extended his invitation in a genuinely cordial manner. Additionally, during their rendezvous, both leaders undertook a joint visit to a space base located in Russia's Far East, symbolizing a unified and cooperative stance against Western powers.

At the prestigious Vostochny Cosmodrome, President Putin expressed heartfelt gratitude for the attention being accorded to their visit to Russia. He also voiced his unwavering confidence that their collaborative efforts in countering imperialism would persist.

In a significant geopolitical development, Kim Jong Un publicly declared North Korea's resolute support for Russia's actions in Ukraine, characterizing Russia's involvement as a principled defense of sovereignty and security against hegemonic forces. This announcement could have far-reaching implications for the international landscape.

Furthermore, the summit was widely expected to encompass discussions on a potential trade agreement. This agreement could potentially involve North Korea supplying ammunition to Russia, which, in turn, might be utilized in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The United States had been closely monitoring the progress of these negotiations.

The high-level meeting, which commenced around 2:30 p.m. local time, came after days of intense speculation regarding both the timing and location of this historic encounter. Kim Jong Un embarked on his journey from Pyongyang to Russia, traversing the border into the far eastern reaches of Russia via a deliberately unhurried train ride. Meanwhile, President Putin had already arrived in Vladivostok a day earlier, commencing a two-day visit that included participation in an economic forum.

The leaders' initial exchange of greetings took place in front of the summit venue. Kim Jong Un was accompanied by a prominent entourage, including his sister, Kim Yo Jong, and other key aides. On the other side, President Putin was accompanied by some of his top officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. They warmly greeted each other before proceeding into the venue. Inside, Kim Jong Un left a lasting mark by signing the visitor's book with the poignant message, "Glory to Russia."

This comprehensive account draws from contributions by ABC News' seasoned reporters: Shannon Crawford, Ben Gittleson, Joe Simonetti, and Joohee Cho. The significance of this meeting between North Korea and Russia, as well as the potential ramifications of their agreements, continues to captivate the attention of the global community.