Kim Jong Un to Visit Russia for Meeting with Vladimir Putin, Kremlin Confirms

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to visit Russia soon for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Russian presidency office and North Korea’s state news agency KCNA. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said negotiations between the delegations of the two countries are planned during Kim’s visit, as well as a one-on-one meeting with Putin, “if necessary.”

Associated Press journalists near Russia’s border with North Korea said they saw a train similar to the one used by Kim in previous trips abroad moving back and forth between a station in North Korea and the Russian border. The Russian presidency’s office did not disclose the exact date of Kim’s one-on-one with Putin.

The visit comes at a time of increased tension between North Korea and South Korea, a U.S. ally that is still officially at war with its northern cousin. North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported that Kim would be visiting Russia “soon,” and that there would be a meeting between the two leaders.

The visit is likely to be closely watched by the international community, as it could have implications for the security of the region. It is unclear what will be discussed during the meeting, but it is likely to be a topic of discussion between the two leaders.