**Putin Solidifies Alliances with North Korea Ahead of Critical Trump Meeting**

**In a significant reaffirmation of ties, President Vladimir Putin praised North Korea's support as he prepares for an important summit with Trump amidst ongoing military challenges in Ukraine.**

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his strong bond with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, just before his anticipated discussions with former President Donald Trump on Friday. This comes in conjunction with reports detailing the oppressive conditions faced by numerous North Korean laborers dispatched to Russia for construction projects.

In a conversation earlier this week, Putin commended North Korea for its military backing in Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where recent advances have led to notable territorial gains, particularly near Dobropillia. As the Kremlin noted, both leaders reaffirmed their intentions to enhance their cooperative relations and strengthen their friendship.

Putin reportedly updated Kim on the forthcoming Alaska summit, where he will meet Trump—the first face-to-face dialogue with a US president since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin emphasized that Putin acknowledged the assistance provided by North Korea during the conflict, notably following Ukrainian forces' brief incursion into Russia’s Kursk region last year.

Despite facing severe isolation from Western countries due to the war, the collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang has intensified. Reports suggest that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers are now fighting alongside Russian troops. Furthermore, North Korea has supplied Russia with critical military resources such as missiles and artillery, with indications that Russia is increasingly dependent on North Korean workers to fill labor shortages caused by the conflict.

As tensions mount and alliances solidify, the world watches closely for the developments to arise from the upcoming summit in Alaska.