The Korean Central News Agency reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin informed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the two countries "will expand the scope of comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations through joint efforts to achieve this goal."

The official agency said Putin told Kim in a message on the occasion of North Korea's Liberation Day that strengthening relations would serve the interests of both countries and help enhance security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia region.

Kim also sent a message to Putin stating that the friendship between Russia and North Korea was forged during World War II with the victory over Japan, which occupied the Korean Peninsula.

Kim added in the message that "strategic and tactical cooperation, support, and solidarity" between the two countries have since reached a new level represented by their joint efforts to thwart threats and provocations from hostile military forces.

The Korean Central News Agency did not specify the hostile forces, but it usually uses this term to refer to the United States and its allies.

Kim anticipated strengthening cooperation between Russia and North Korea under an agreement signed in 2019 when he met with Putin.

In July, North Korea announced its recognition of "two separatist republics" supported by Russia in eastern Ukraine as independent states, and officials raised the possibility of sending North Korean workers to the areas to assist in construction and other labor.