Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) bids farewell to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un following their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, in Beijing, Wednesday. (Pool photo via Yonhap/EPA-Yonhap)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) bids farewell to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un following their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, in Beijing, Wednesday. (Pool photo via Yonhap/EPA-Yonhap)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in China for events marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, also held a separate meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin upon the occasion on Wednesday.

The two leaders met for 2 1/2 hours at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, following a banquet for the anniversary.

In their opening remarks, they underscored the significance of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukrainians in the Kursk border region and emphasized the need for closer cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.

After the talks, Putin personally escorted Kim to his car, where the two leaders shook hands and embraced.

Earlier in the day, Kim and Putin had joined Chinese President Xi Jinping at a military parade in Tiananmen Square, with Putin standing to Xi’s right and Kim to his left.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walk after their meeting at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Wednesday. (Pool photo via AP-Yonhap)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walk after their meeting at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Wednesday. (Pool photo via AP-Yonhap)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un hold a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing. (Pool photo via Tass)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un hold a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing. (Pool photo via Tass)
From left: Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un are seen ahead of a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. (Pool photo via Tass)
From left: Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un are seen ahead of a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. (Pool photo via Tass)

ssh@heraldcorp.com