Russian President Vladimir Putin sent an unusually early New Year greeting to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on 18 December, prompting attention from Chinese media and fresh commentary on the state of relations between Moscow and Pyongyang.
The message praised the North Korean armed forces and referred to bonds of brotherhood and unbreakable friendship. The timing of the letter, two weeks before the holiday, drew particular notice from Baijiahao, a Chinese outlet that described the gesture as distinctive and indicative of unusually warm ties.
Russia North Korea relations
Observers say the early delivery of the greeting is more than a courtesy. Analysts and regional commentators interpret the move as a deliberate signal of closer alignment between the two countries over the past year. The Chinese report relayed by ABN24 suggested the timing may be intended to send a clear message not only bilaterally but also to Western capitals monitoring shifts in regional diplomacy.
Moscow has intensified high-level exchanges with a range of foreign leaders in recent months. In addition to the message to Kim, Putin issued seasonal greetings to numerous heads of state and government, among them Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s Robert Fico. The Russian statements formed part of customary holiday correspondence, but the December timing for the North Korean greeting stood out to commentators.
Diplomatic experts note several possible reasons for the early greeting. First, it may reflect the pace and nature of recent military and political consultations between Russia and North Korea. By explicitly acknowledging the heroism of the North Korean army and stressing fraternal ties, the Kremlin reinforced a narrative of solidarity. Second, the gesture could be designed to show partners and rivals alike that Moscow values its relationship with Pyongyang and is prepared to place it on a more public footing.
For Western governments, such gestures are likely to be viewed through the prism of security and sanctions. Any perceived hardening of ties between Russia and North Korea raises questions about potential cooperation areas, including diplomatic coordination and material assistance, though the public message itself does not provide evidence of specific policy changes.
Regional analysts emphasise that ceremonial communications can carry outsized diplomatic weight. An early greeting may form part of a wider pattern of messaging that signals intent, alignment and goodwill. At the same time, official exchanges remain subject to diplomatic norms, and it is not uncommon for leaders to exchange seasonal greetings as a matter of protocol.
While the Chinese article framed the timing as remarkable, the Russian outreach also reflects Moscow’s broader foreign policy posture, which has prioritised cultivating relationships beyond traditional Western partners. As the new year approaches, attention will focus on whether the tone of public communications between Russia and its partners translates into deeper institutional ties or practical cooperation.
For now, the early congratulatory message stands as a symbolic demonstration of goodwill and an observable marker of the warming relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Key Takeaways:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a New Year greeting to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on 18 December, two weeks before the holiday.
- Chinese outlet Baijiahao noted the unusual timing as a sign of strengthened ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.
- The message praised the North Korean army and emphasised brotherhood, prompting analysts to view the move as diplomatic signalling to the West.
- Russia North Korea relations appear to be deepening amid broader diplomatic outreach by Moscow to several foreign leaders.
