Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, plans to travel to Russia this month to meet with President Vladimir Putin to discuss the possibility of supplying Russia with weapons for its war in Ukraine, according to American and allied officials.
In a rare visit abroad, Mr. Kim would travel from Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital, probably by armored train, to Vladivostok, on Russia’s Pacific Coast, where he would meet with Mr. Putin, the officials said.
Mr. Putin wants Mr. Kim to agree to send Russia artillery shells and antitank missiles, and Mr. Kim would like Russia to provide North Korea with advanced technology for satellites and nuclear-powered submarines, the officials said. Mr. Kim also wants food aid for his impoverished nation.
Both leaders would be on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok to attend the Eastern Economic Forum, from Sept. 10 to 13, according to the officials.
The White House declined to discuss the new intelligence but Adrienne Watson, a National Security Council spokeswoman, acknowledged that the United States expected “leader-level diplomatic engagement” on the issue of arms sales to take place between Russia and North Korea.
In late August, a delegation of about 20 North Korean officials, including some who oversee security protocols for the leadership, traveled by train from Pyongyang to Vladivostok, and then flew to Moscow, an indication that North Korea was serious about a visit by Mr. Kim.
In July, Russian Defense Minister Shoigu’s visitedo North Korea, the first by a Russian defense minister since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
“The strengthening of the Russia-North Korea alliance comes at an opportune time for two countries with very few allies and a shared adversary in the United States,” said Jean H. Lee, a recent senior fellow on the Koreas at the Wilson Center. “It’s the resurrection of a traditional alliance that serves the strategic interests of both Putin and Kim.”
Dressed in stepped off in a black fedora and long black coat, Mr. Kim was received by an honor guard and brass band.
