North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held summit talks in Pyongyang on Thursday and signed a treaty on friendship and cooperation. Lukashenko hailed the document as 'fundamental' and said relations are entering a 'new stage.' Kim expressed 'solidarity and full support' for Belarus.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. On Thursday, the two held summit talks and signed a treaty on friendship and cooperation, along with agreements on diplomacy, agriculture, public health, education, and other areas, according to KCNA and Belarusian news agency Belta. Lukashenko described relations as entering 'a fundamentally new stage' due to 'comprehensive progressive development,' calling the treaty 'fundamental' as it sets forth goals, principles, and frameworks for mutual benefit. He stated, 'In today’s reality of global transformation, when global powers ignore international law, independent countries need to cooperate closely to protect sovereignty and improve citizens' well-being.' Kim expressed solidarity with Lukashenko's policy for 'defending sovereign rights' and spoke against 'unlawful pressure on Belarus from the West.' Following talks, they held a photo session and exchanged gifts: Kim gave Lukashenko a sword and a large vase with the Belarusian leader's image, while Lukashenko presented an assault rifle, saying, 'Just in case enemies show up.' Kim hosted a reception, praising the visit as elevating ties to 'a new high stage.' They attended an artistic performance at an ice rink before Lukashenko departed from Pyongyang International Airport with Kim seeing him off. North Korea and Belarus established diplomatic ties in 1992 and have run a joint trade committee since 1995, reactivated last May with North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui visiting in October. Both nations support Russia's war in Ukraine. The leaders last met in Beijing in September 2025.
