Putin Embraces North Korean General In Red Square

Russian President Vladimir Putin was seen warmly greeting and embracing a North Korean (DPRK) general during Victory Day celebrations on Moscow’s Red Square. The interaction included a rare exchange of compliments, with the DPRK general saying, “On this great Victory Day, we would like to express our warmest congratulations and highest esteem to Comrade President Vladimir Putin,” to which Putin replied, “Congratulations! Best wishes! Thank you very much. Congratulations to you too. Best wishes to all your soldiers.”

The parade marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War (World War II), and featured troops from 13 nations, including China, Egypt, Vietnam, Mongolia, Belarus, and North Korea. Despite pressure from Western nations to boycott the event, over 30 world leaders, including Xi Jinping and Nicolas Maduro, attended.

This moment at Red Square underscores Russia's growing diplomatic and military ties with nations outside the Western bloc.