In a major diplomatic trip, Russian Security Council secretary Sergey Shoigu arrived in North Korea on Friday to see leader Kim Jong Un. The visit comes as North Korea may be deploying more troops to Russia to back up its efforts to attack Ukraine.
Russia’s state-run Tass news agency reported that Shoigu will hold high-level talks with North Korean officials, including Kim. With the terms left unspoken, the visit sparks speculation that the two are intensifying not only their military, but also economic cooperation.
North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Shoigu’s delegation arrived but said nothing on the agenda of talks. Comments from observers, indicate, that the trip could pave the way for Kim Jong Un’s possible trip to Moscow, after invitation to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, last year. 
Shoigu’s visit comes just as Ukraine and Russia agreed on conditional ceasefire, mediated by US President Donald Trump. Even so, the implementation deadline and details of the remnants of the truce are unclear.
Intelligence suggests that North Korea has so far dispatched 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia and recent estimates indicate an additional 1,000 to 3,000 troops will follow. Analysts say Pyongyang is using its backing for Russia to gain economic and military aid.
As tensions rise, North Korea’s nuclear violations continue, with new anti-aircraft missile test on Thursday. This came as U.S.-led South Korea was wrapping up annual joint military exercises which Pyongyang dubbing as an act of aggression.
Visit indicates more strengthening of Moscow-Pyongyang ties and heightens regional security, diplomatic play concerns.
