The Russian and North Korean Ambassadors to the United Nations are showing support for each other as a summit meeting between their two leaders is likely to take place soon.
North Korean Ambassador Kim Song backed Moscow's veto of a resolution to renew sanctions against the West African country of Mali at the UN General Assembly meeting on Monday.
Kim said the United States and its followers ignored all of Russia's constructive proposals and created a situation where Russia had no choice but to veto the move.
Japan, the United States and some European countries had said the sanctions were important for peace and stability in the region.
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia expressed understanding for Pyongyang's attempted launch of a military reconnaissance satellite in a Security Council meeting in August. He said it was the United States that was escalating tensions on and around the Korean Peninsula.
After the meeting, Nebenzia and Kim were seen smiling and shaking hands.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appear set to hold a summit meeting this week. It would be their first meeting in four years.