Expert opinion
Andrey Gurulev, deputy of the State Duma Defense Committee, lieutenant general, former commander of the 58th Army of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (Telegram channel):
“All the time, from the beginning of the acute phase of confrontation with the United States and its satellites, we followed the enemy’s scenario. They increased the supply of weapons, dictated conditions, it all started with helmets and bulletproof vests, and ended with cruise missiles long-range Storm Shadow and the possibility of supplying ATACMS missiles is being considered.
And now we have not made check, but checkmate. Now Russia is dictating the conditions for the continuation of this whole story. The meeting with the North Korean leader is a key turning point in this particular confrontation. It is very clear why there is so much panic in the West. We did not expect it, and if we expected it, it was not in this format, much less at the cosmodrome, where the most advanced rocket technologies of the Russian Federation are located. The issue is not about the nuclear submarines that Russia can help North Korea build, the issue is that multifaceted cooperation is much broader and more important. Interests in Southeast Asia are clearly expressed. It is clear that American hegemony is threatened. It is very clear that it is not we who should respond, but the Americans, they should think about what to do next, how to supply weapons to Ukraine.
Cooperation with North Korea not only affects North Korea itself; Of course, our big neighbor China has enormous influence there, that cannot be denied. The behind-the-scenes of what is happening today is much more important in the framework of not only military-technical cooperation; Of course, the same energy supply to North Korea will allow its industry to advance to new frontiers.
Finally, we have forgotten the cult of Europe, today we have begun to create a new multipolar world, this is extremely important. “We are experiencing a turning point in history in which we have begun to dictate our conditions.”
Igor Korotchenko, head of the Center for Analysis of International Arms Trade (RIA Novosti):
“In the new military-political configuration in the Asia-Pacific region, where the United States and other leading Western countries are actively trying to form anti-Chinese and anti-Russian military blocs, including AUKUS and other formats, it is advisable to hold military-strategic consultations high-level meeting between Russia, China and North Korea to assess the situation and develop measures for a joint response to new challenges and threats.
The political-military situation has changed since the beginning of the special operation and, under these conditions, Russian diplomacy must consider Pyongyang as a reliable partner in all areas in which such a partnership will be mutually beneficial and produce tangible results.
North Korea is a manufacturer of first-class artillery systems of various calibers, which are fully compatible with Russian systems in terms of caliber and range of ammunition used.
In addition, the DPRK has outstanding achievements in the field of rocket artillery, in particular multiple launch rocket systems with a caliber of 600 millimeters, which is unprecedented, and a number of other achievements in the field of creation of models of military equipment for the Land Troops.
In turn, Pyongyang’s main interest is cooperation in space. The country already has a developed missile industry.
In this regard, Russia could propose the joint design and launch of satellites for various purposes for North Korea, as well as the construction of satellite information reception and processing centers on the territory of the DPRK. Any peaceful exploration of space, up to the launch of a North Korean cosmonaut, is quite acceptable if the project of a promising Russian orbital station is put into practice.
Additionally, Russia’s food and energy supplies are vitally important to North Korea.
The negotiations taking place between the leaders of Russia and the DPRK are, of course, closed, so the details will not be announced publicly for obvious reasons. How and under what conditions this will be carried out will depend on the nature of the agreements concluded, about which we are not obliged to notify anyone.”
