North Korea and Russia declared 2015, which is the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, as "Friendship Year." The two countries have intensified their relationship, with goals to increase trading to $1 billion a year.
North Korea and Russia declared 2015, which is the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, as "Friendship Year." The two countries have intensified their relationship, with goals to increase trading to $1 billion a year.
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Cozy relations between North Korea and Russia aren't exactly new. After all, the Kim regime has long had ties to Russia. This photo from August 29, 2011 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency shows Russia's now Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev shaking hands with the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
Cozy relations between North Korea and Russia aren't exactly new. After all, the Kim regime has long had ties to Russia. This photo from August 29, 2011 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency shows Russia's now Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev shaking hands with the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
KNS/AFP/Getty Images
North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong is on an international trip this month spanning Belarus, Russia and Cuba. In Havana, Ri met with Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez. The two Communist countries have maintained ties since 1960s. Cuban media reported that its president Raul Castro also received Ri.
North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong is on an international trip this month spanning Belarus, Russia and Cuba. In Havana, Ri met with Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez. The two Communist countries have maintained ties since 1960s. Cuban media reported that its president Raul Castro also received Ri.
AP Photo/Liu Bin, Pool
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong stopped in Belarus last week. At a meeting in Minsk, Belarus and North Korean officials discussed the UN and the principles of non-interference, according to North Korean state media, KCNA. Ri is seen with Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei on March 9, 2015.
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong stopped in Belarus last week. At a meeting in Minsk, Belarus and North Korean officials discussed the UN and the principles of non-interference, according to North Korean state media, KCNA. Ri is seen with Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei on March 9, 2015.
MAXIM MALINOVSKY/AFP/Getty Images
Rarely a week goes by where the North Korean state media doesn't trumpet its friendship with Syria's president Bashar al-Assad. A North Korean delegation visited him in Syria on March 8, according to KCNA. North Korea officials hailed Syria's standoff with the U.S. saying: "The hostile acts of the U.S. imperialists make the relations between Syria and the DPRK stronger."
Rarely a week goes by where the North Korean state media doesn't trumpet its friendship with Syria's president Bashar al-Assad. A North Korean delegation visited him in Syria on March 8, according to KCNA. North Korea officials hailed Syria's standoff with the U.S. saying: "The hostile acts of the U.S. imperialists make the relations between Syria and the DPRK stronger."
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Iran and North Korea have enjoyed a long-term partnership, raising concerns for the U.S. about advancing their nuclear and missiles program. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with North Korean officials in Tehran on September 16, 2014.
Iran and North Korea have enjoyed a long-term partnership, raising concerns for the U.S. about advancing their nuclear and missiles program. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with North Korean officials in Tehran on September 16, 2014.
BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images
North Korea's mass games, the annual spectacle, regularly features the flags of both North Korea and China. The two countries have been longtime historic allies since China came to the aid of North Koreans during the Korean War. However, some observers believe relations between the two nations have cooled recently.
North Korea's mass games, the annual spectacle, regularly features the flags of both North Korea and China. The two countries have been longtime historic allies since China came to the aid of North Koreans during the Korean War. However, some observers believe relations between the two nations have cooled recently.
IAN TIMBERLAKE/AFP/Getty Images
North Korea's friendships

Story highlights

A Russian presidential aide says Kim will be in Moscow for May 9 Victory Day celebrations, news agency reports

This Victory Day marks the 70 years since the Soviet victory over Germany in World War II

CNN  — 

This time, it’s official: Russia expects North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to visit Moscow next month for World War II anniversary celebrations.

North Korean representatives have confirmed that Kim will be in the Russian capital for May 9 Victory Day celebrations, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Wednesday, according to Russian state-run news agency Tass.

This would mark Kim’s first official foreign trip since inheriting the leadership of North Korea in late 2011.

Kim will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of the May visit, Tass reported.

Kim’s trip has been anticipated since late December, when Russian state media reported that Moscow had extended an invitation to Pyongyang.

Last month, a Russian official speaking on condition of anonymity told CNN that the invitation was accepted. But Wednesday’s Tass report is the first public confirmation attached to a named official.

This year’s Victory Day marks the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russia has said it has invited more than 60 world leaders to the celebrations.

Kim expected to visit Moscow as North Korea, Russia foster warmer relations

CNN’s Madison Park and Alla Eshchenko contributed to this report.