Kim-Putin Vladivostok summit begins: focus on nuclear program and economy

The talks are seen as a key test for diplomatic support for Kim. For the North Korean leader, the summit is "very significant". Putin expresses appreciation for the inter-Korean dialogue and the improvement of relations between the North and the USA. Meanwhile in Seoul, President Moon meets the secretary of the Moscow Security Council.

Moscow (AsiaNews / Agencies) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un kicked off his first summit this morning with Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, a city in the Russian Far East.

The peaceful resolution of Pyongyang's nuclear program and economic cooperation between the two countries are the main items on the agenda of the meeting between the leaders.

The expected talks are seen as a key test for diplomatic support for Kim, who tries to break the deadlock in negotiations with the United States by easing the pressure on sanctions and focusing attention on economic development.

In his opening speech, Kim stated that the summit with Putin will be "significant" for the joint efforts to address the issues related to the Korean peninsula, where "the world attention is focused". "I believe (the summit) will be very meaningful dialogue to assess peninsula policy together, share each other's views and work together to jointly make adjustments and research going forward".

Putin expressed his support for inter-Korean dialogue and the improvement of relations between the North and the United States. "On the occasion of your visit to Russia, I expect that bilateral relations will develop and that we can find a good solution for the situation on the Korean peninsula," said the Russian president. "And I think - he added - that we will be able to continue with this trend, this change that is now manifesting itself in a positive way".

After the summit, Kim will return home tomorrow or the following day. Meanwhile, South Korean president Moon Jae-in will meet Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation in Seoul, in the afternoon, the presidential office of the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) announced. According to observers, the two will exchange views on the current Kim-Putin summit in Vladivostok.