North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has met Vladimir Putin in Russia in a highly scrutinised visit which was expected to yield an arms deal.
After talks ended at the Vostochny space centre, Mr Kim began his long journey home on his private armoured train, Russian state media reported.
Speaking later on Wednesday, Mr Putin said the pair discussed “possibilities” for military cooperation.
Moscow has indicated it will help Pyongyang develop satellites in return.
Both sides denied the US’ claim that the talks are aimed at buying weapons to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Besides advanced space technology, Mr Kim is also thought to have asked for food aid in return.
The meeting between the two sanctioned regimes, which included senior officials from both sides, took place at a time when their relations with the West are at an all-time low.
The high-profile visit saw Mr Kim, who travelled for two days to Russia’s far east, warmly received by Mr Putin. Russian state media footage showed the two leaders grinning as they shook hands, before Mr Putin personally escorted Mr Kim around the Vostochny space centre.
Citing historical ties between the Soviet Union and North Korea, Mr Putin welcomed his counterpart with the Russian proverb “an old friend is better than two new ones”.
Earlier this year North Korea twice tried, and failed, to launch a spy satellite. Pyongyang has vowed to develop one to boost its military surveillance capabilities.
