Seoul, June 20
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is not expected to visit Russia in the near future, a Russian news agency reported, citing a Kremlin spokesperson on Friday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded "No" when asked by reporters whether Kim would visit Russia soon, including during the Eastern Economic Forum, scheduled for September in Vladivostok near the border with North Korea, Ria Novosti reported.
As North Korea and Russia marked the first anniversary this month of the signing of a mutual defence treaty between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin, speculation has emerged that the North Korean leader may travel to Russia for a summit with Putin.
While visiting Pyongyang for the signing last year, Putin extended an invitation to Kim to visit Russia for talks.
Russia's annual Eastern Economic Forum, slated for September 3-6, has been speculated on as a possible occasion for Kim's trip to Russia and a summit with Putin.
Kim has visited Russia twice so far, in 2019 and 2023, for talks with Putin, but both trips took place in Russia's eastern regions near North Korea, due apparently to security and logistical reasons, news agency reported.