The US government says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expects to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the possibility of supplying weapons to Russia.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson expressed concern that arms negotiations between the two countries are progressing. She said the US has information suggesting that Kim "expects these discussions to continue, to include leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia."
Also on Monday, the New York Times reported that Kim may be planning to travel to Vladivostok, Russia, to meet Putin later this month.
Kim and Putin are expected to attend the Eastern Economic Forum, which is scheduled to run from September 10 through 13 in the city in the Russian Far East.
The newspaper quoted sources as saying that Putin wants Kim to agree to supply Russia with artillery shells and antitank missiles for its war in Ukraine, while Kim seeks advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines, as well as food aid.