Russia and North Korea sign partnership deal that appears to be the strongest since the Cold War

By ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL and KIM TONG-HYUNG
Associated Press

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have signed a new partnership that includes a vow of mutual aid if either country faces “aggression.” Their summit came Wednesday as both face escalating standoffs with the West. Details were not immediately clear, but the deal could mark their strongest connection since the end of the Cold War. Both leaders described it as a major upgrade of their relations. The U.S. and its allies are concerned over a possible arms arrangement in which Putin receives badly needed munitions for the war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology that could enhance Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile program. From North Korea, Putin traveled to Vietnam.